SUGAR CONTENT IN FOOD

Early day motion 828, tabled 5 March 2003 by David Tredinnick (Conservative). Signed by 36 members.

That this House notes that people in Britain eat on average 16 times more sugar than they did 100 years ago, from 4lb per year to 65lb per year; believes that excess sugar can pose a serious risk to health; expresses concern that sugar is difficult to avoid because it is often hidden in the ingredients in processed food; acknowledges that too much sugar in the blood can cause insulin resistance and can lead to Type II diabetes, which is a huge problem in the UK and is directly linked to diet and lifestyle, as well as heart disease and polycystic ovary syndrome in women; further notes that more than 1.4 million people in the UK are known to have diabetes and that the number is expected to double by 2010; and urges the Government to take steps to bring about a reduction in sugar content in food.

Signatures by party: Labour 24, Conservative 4, Labour/Co-operative 2, Scottish National Party 2, UUP 2, Liberal Democrat 1, Plaid Cymru 1.