Dentists Likely To Be Upset As McDonald’s Fizzy Drink Is Labelled ‘Healthy’
Dentists and nutritionists are likely to be upset after the Advertising Standards Agency approved the new McDonald’s fizzy fruit drink as one of the recommended daily five portions of fruit and vegetables.
The Fruitizz drink, which is aimed at children, has recently been approved as one of the 5-a-day portions, despite the fact that it contains approximately six teaspoons of sugar. The drink will now be in the same category as apples and broccoli.
Since the decision has been revealed, there has been an outcry from nutritionists and children’s health campaigners; Malcolm Clark, from the Children’s Food Campaign, said that the ruling confirmed that the rules around fruit and vegetables are far too lenient and accused McDonalds of following in the footsteps of other companies and exploiting the 5-a-day campaign to make more money.
The drink, which contains grape, lemon and raspberry fruit concentrates, preservatives and fizzy water, costs 89 pence per 250 gram serving; each cup contains 25 grams of sugar, which equates to around six teaspoons per cup
Dentists across the UK have revealed that they are seeing very young children with extensive decay and it is little wonder when sugary drinks such as the Frutizz are branded as ‘healthy’. One of the major causes of decay is diet and children are consuming more fizzy, sugary drinks than ever before.
Christina Merryfield, a nutritionist from the London Bupa Cromwell Hospital, said that sugary drinks contribute to oral health problems, as well as obesity, which is becoming an increasingly worrying problem among youngsters in the UK. Merryfield added that children should be encouraged to drink water and milk instead of fizzy pop.
A spokesperson for McDonald’s said that the company was very pleased with the ruling and added that the Fruitizz drink had been developed in line with 5-a-day guidelines provided by the Department of Health.
Join this Discussion
