Tell MNHQ what you think of the idea of us campaigning with BEAR for changes in food packaging

[MichelleMumsnet]

Three weeks ago, BEAR asked Mumsnetters for their views on a number of questions about what mattered to them when it came to buying snacks for their children’s lunchboxes. Over 900 of you responded (thank you!), and the research showed that 9 in 10 respondents are concerned about the amounts of highly processed ingredients in children’s fruit snacks, and that over half were unclear about what fruit snacks counted towards their child’s 5-a-day. What came through most strongly was that 3 in 4 want fruit juice concentrates to be declared on front-of-pack. BEAR's explanation of concentrates is that they 'are fruit juices that have been boiled at a high temperature down to a syrup, removing water and flavour, and then reconstituted later adding water and flavour packs, stripping out a lot of fibre and leaving more processed fruit sugars’.

The labelling of concentrates on front of pack is already compulsory on fruit juice packaging in the UK www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/192357/fruit-juice-si-20130425.pdf, but this doesn't apply to fruit snacks. BEAR wants to change that, and is lobbying the Department of Health (DoH) to address this. BEAR has asked if Mumsnet would like to co-sign the letter that will go to the DoH demanding this change.
So, we'd like you to let us know what you think. Should Mumsnet get behind a change in packaging that means that it’s compulsory for fruit concentrates to be declared on the front of pack?

Everyone who shares their opinions on this thread will be entered into a prize draw to win a £300 Love2Shop voucher!

Thanks
MNHQ

[lexiemac13]

I think there would be no harm in adding this to fruit snack packaging as it's compulsory to be added to fruit juice bottles/cartons so why not? However, I don't think it's completely important as long as the ingredients and sugar content are available on the packaging. It's no secret that the majority of fruit snacks like fruit bars are going to be processed in some way, so personally, I would be more inclined to back a campaign that actually avoided fruit snacks like these altogether and concentrated on feeding children more natural snacks like whole, fresh fruit and vegetables. Even natural fruit is not good for children in excess so I would also like to see more campaigns that concentrate on this too and the importance of oral health in children and limiting fruit intake in children's diets, particularly dried fruit snacks which are laced with sugar, natural or not!

[Bostin]

I think if it applies to juice it should apply to fruit snacks to.

[AbbyCadabby]

The more we know, the better.
Duh.

[Daariina]

Anything that allows us parents to be better informed can only be a good thing, so I'm all for it.

[Rigbyroo]

Fantastic idea.

[Uzma01]

It's a great initiative that needs to be rolled out to more products.

[Princessxo]

Definitely! I don't think everyone looks at the front, but in my house, we're very health conscious and I find it important knowing just what is going inside a product.

[lucieloos]

Fully support it. It's important to know what goes into children's snacks

[Aethelfleda]

Total sugars would be better (and mean you're comparing like with like). Not sure how Mumsnet can imply they are "helping" if BEAR is paying you though.. Doesn't that produce a conflict of interest?

[MakeTeaNotWar]

Yes - I didn't know that about fruit concentrates and it's put me right off. How are parents supposed to make informed decisions if they don't know? Makes me very cynical of food marketing

[sharond101]

I would support this 100%.

[clopper]

I'm all in favour of extra information on packaging so that we can make considered choices.

[Cocacolaandchocolate]

With this idea. Would love to see total sugars on the pack as well as calories etc...

[cakedup]

Yes I agree, I think there is a misconception as to how 'healthy' concentrated fruit is.

[Dolallytats]

I'd be a bit cynical about a food labelling campaign from a food manufacturer

Agree with this. More informative labels are a good idea, but only if done honestly (think 'Light', Lite' etc suggesting a healthier product etc)

[TelephoneIgnoringMachine]

Thanks for all that information. Yes, I'd welcome any improvements to food packaging. I've looked at those Bear Paw things for DD in the past. I don't think I'll be buying them now, though. Quite pleased (lucky) she likes fresh fruit - it's sugary but it's still got all the fibre & vitamins in. They also sound like a nightmare for your dental health.

[MisForMumNotMaid]

I feel that food labelling is bad and confusing. If mumsnet wanted to go all out and back a campaign it would be better from my perspective to broaden remit and look at wider food labeling and just one clear round of change rather than yet another piecemeal bit of confusing information.

I am a bit surprised about your description of from concentrate. I knew an apple was far better than juice or cooked/ pureed apple but didn't realise that the from concentrate juice is so different than just pure juice.

[CheeseAtFourpence]

I think the more labelling the better. I was aware of what "not from concentrate" was after watching a programme on fruit juice. I avoid buying products made from concentrate, but struggle to know what is and what isn't. I don't buy fruit bars unless as a treat though - I'm conscious about the amount of fruit DD eats due to the sugars in it.

It's a minefield!

[VaseandCandle]

Fruit concentrates are not the only thing to watch out for. I'm all for more information on what goes into my child's food, but why focus on this above other ingredients? I get why BEAR want to, less so why it's a priority for mumsnet.

[Ohfourfoxache]

Yes please! There is so much evidence now that children's teeth are suffering because of "so called" healthy snacks that, as parents/purchasers, we need as much information as we can get.

[Theimpossiblegirl]

Ear products? Bear, obvs.
:)

[Theimpossiblegirl]

My kids would turn their nose up at ear products as they look a bit like hey are aimed at toddlers. Anything that raises awareness of sugar consumption is a good thing, but these are still very much a 'treat' food.

[EWLT]

Of course they're paying. MN was founded on a gap in the market and is a commercial enterprise too

[KeyserSophie]

We founded BEAR back in 2009 because it really frustrated us that there were no snacks available for families that were made from real fruit rather than concentrates.

ha ha ha ha ha ha ha. Yes! When I think about the state of the world this is what I feel most "frustrated" about, so "frustrated" that I start my own company to address it.

Why not just say "with more consumer focus on sugar, we spotted a gap in the market to make a marginally less bad product"

For treating me like a fucking idiot, I'm now not supporting this campaign.

MN- I hope they're going to pay you to put your weight behind this. You shouldn't be lobbying on niche issues that massively benefit one producer.

[catdoodles]

Well I'm happier knowing yoyos are made from just the fruit itself and have no added refined sugar, just the natural sugar from the fruit, even if it does equal the amount of sugar in similar less well thought out products.