Melanie Johnson, Minister for Public Health

The government’s white paper on public health aims to make it easier for people to change their lifestyle so they eat more healthily, exercise more and smoke less. It also sets out moves to improve sexual health, encourage sensible drinking and improve mental well-being.

It is clear we need to do more as a society to improve people’s health. Having defeated many deadly infectious diseases, we now face the challenge of avoidable ill-health caused by poor diet, lack of exercise and smoking.

These are challenges for all of us to address in our lifestyles - making our own choices about what to eat, how often to exercise and whether we smoke, or drink too much.

The public have made plain in a wide-ranging consultation that they want information, advice and support in making their own choices. It is our job to ensure that people have the information they require to make properly informed choices; and that they are presented with genuine opportunities and the practical support to make choices for a healthy life.

We have listened to the public about what they want and looked hard at the evidence of what is effective. There is a role for everyone in this - individuals, communities, employers, parents, schools, the hospitality, food and leisure industries, and of course the NHS and local government.

This government’s role is to help ensure people can make good choices for themselves - by providing clear information for individuals, working with the food industry to deliver real progress and where necessary taking decisive action to ensure healthy choices are available to all.

We have made great strides in promoting 5 A DAY to the public. Something strongly called for in our consultation was the need for improved information and education on food issues, including better food labelling and restrictions on advertising certain foods to children.

The white paper states the government’s intention to continue to work with the food industry on the 5 A DAY logo. The logo is already used by over 400 organisations and we will continue working with retailers, caterers, manufacturers and producers to promote the 5 A DAY message.

We will also work with industry, advertisers, consumer groups and other stakeholders to encourage new measures to strengthen existing voluntary codes on food and drink promotion to children including: setting up a new food and drink advertising and promotion forum and contributing funding to new health initiatives and positive health campaigns.

We look forward to working with the fresh produce industry to improve the health of the nation.

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