Biscuits and cakes set to be reduced in size under new plans to tackle obesity crisis

James Lyons
6 May 2013

Ministers are poised to demand that cafes and supermarkets cut portion sizes of snacks that are high in saturated fat

Biscuits are set to be shrunk under extreme Government plans to fight Britain’s bulging waistline, it was revealed today.

Cakes, frothy coffee and other fatty treats could also be downsized to deal with the country’s obesity crisis.

Ministers are poised to demand that cafes and supermarkets cut portion sizes of snacks that are high in saturated fat.

They hope that reducing the amount of unhealthy food on offer will persuade people to eat better and opt for low fat alternatives.

But the Department of Health’s own officials admit that the plan risks backfiring by making people buy and eat more treats to make up for the change.

Biscuit fans who are unsatisfied with the new size could end up just raiding the cookie jar more often, they fear.

And there are concerns of a consumer rip-off as food firms cut product sizes but not their prices, a trick many big name brands have been caught out using to boost profits in the past.

Manufacturers and caterers will be allowed to decide how to implement cuts in saturated fat if the reductions are agreed, Government sources revealed.

“Some might want to reduce the size of the biscuits or they might want to reduce the size of the packet,” the source said.

Dr Susan Jebb, the head of nutrition and health research at the Medical Research Council, is head of the panel drawing up the plans.

Dr Jebb stressed that using healthier recipes was central to attempt to cut consumers’ weight, according to minutes from a meeting.

But she also said “actions to reduce saturated fat in foods should also include portion size reductions, and behaviour change activities such as promotion of lower fat options to consumers”.

The Department of Health is working with food giants in a bid to cut obesity under what is known as the responsibility deal.

Reducing saturated fat is the latest aim about work with food producers and high street chains to cut calories and salt.

The deal, which could cut childhood obesity rates, is expected to be agreed before Parliament breaks for the summer.

Analysis from the department shows that biscuits contribute six per cent of daily saturated fat intake of a child aged between four and 10.

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