Jamie Oliver Tells David Cameron To Be 'Brave' And Impose Sugar Tax On Drinks
Jamie Oliver Tells David Cameron To Be 'Brave' And Impose Sugar Tax
Ned Simons— The Huffington Post UK
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Jamie Oliver has urged David Cameron to be "brave" and impose a tax on sugary drinks in order to tackle obesity.
The TV chef also said on Monday there should be a ban on junk food being advertised on television before 9pm.
Oliver told the Commons health committee today successive governments over the last 30 years had done an "incredible disservice to children" .
He told MPs it was time drinks manufacturers were reminded it was the government that was in charge and were told "who's boss". He added: "Industry must be kept in line and it mustn’t run this country".
Oliver has been campaigning for a levy on sugary drinks, amassing nearly 150,000 signatures on a petition demanding a Commons debate.
He said he was not suggesting a ban as he would be "kicked out of Britain very quickly" but that a tax was needed. "I love sugar, I think it's great. I have never said ban sugary sweet drinks I have never said stop using it," he said.
"Who is running the country?" he asked. "Is it the businesses who are profiting from ill health in children or is it us?"
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Oliver said he believed the prime minister saw child health as "very important" and was open to a tax but needed public support.
"Parents in Britain and people involved in public health need to hold Mr Cameron to be brave and strong and support him," he said.
Oliver also rejected the idea of a tax on sugary drinks went too far. "I refuse accept that I am radical or unrealistic," he said. "It's not radical because the French are doing it ... they are being brave, why can't we?"
The chef said he recongised the idea of a new tax was a hard sell, but it would be "symbolic of a government that is willing to fight tooth and nail for public health and most importantly child health".
He also told MPs there were too many adverts for junk food before 9pm and it should be banned. And warned advertising online was an "absolute minefield that we just haven’t even got our head around".
Jamie Oliver's Grocery Shopping Tips
Keep Cupboards Stocked(01 of10)
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Keep an eye out for store specials and load up on non-perishable stuff that sits in your cupboard waiting for you to come home and cook. It's good to remember that there's nothing substandard about canned tomatoes, canned fish or frozen fruits and vegetables. Unless you're picking them from your garden, you'll have to go a long way to get a tastier and more nutritional pea than a frozen one.
Shop With A List(02 of10)
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One of my favourite tricks in the 20 Minute Meals Apps are the shopping lists. Make sure you take an inventory of what you have in your cupboard, take a look at what's on special and what's seasonal in your local market, create your menus and list and then head off to the store.
Check Those Labels(03 of10)
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Avoid buying anything with ingredients on the label that you can't read or pronounce. Preservatives and chemicals aren't food.
Invest In The Best You Can(04 of10)
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If you can afford to buy high quality organic chicken and beef that has been raised humanely, then do so. If you can't, look for less expensive cuts and choose recipes that braise and stew. You can do a lot with cheaper cuts and then be able to afford higher welfare animals.
Just Say No(05 of10)
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Don't buy junk food and fizzy drinks. No need to reinforce bad habits.
Buy Close To Home(06 of10)
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Try to buy fruits and vegetables in season that haven't travelled too far. They're usually cheaper and tastier. Root vegetables and dark greens are great in the winter time, and if you don't fancy, don't forget frozen.
Get Experimental(07 of10)
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Try new things once in while. Substitute a sweet potato or a fingerling for a white potato, add a little heat with a chilli, try a shallot instead of an onion. You'll be surprised at how much more you enjoy shopping and cooking when you are exploring new things.
Make Friends With Salad(08 of10)
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Salads should be creative and eaten every day if possible. Pick and mix different elements like soft and crunchy lettuce, herbs, veggies, cheese and various toppings. Once you've done that, simply mix them together, season, and dress the salad. See number 9.
Make Your Own Dressing(09 of10)
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Never buy pre-made salad dressings. By dressing a salad, you can make it delicious, meaning you want to eat it, rather than feel you have to. The other good news is that your body can absorb far more nutrients from salads because of the presence of oil and acid in the dressing. I like to make dressings in empty, cleaned-out jam jars because it's so easy to see what's going on -- you can shake them up easily and any leftovers can be kept in jars in the fridge. Dressings are based on a ratio: three parts oil to one part acid. So experiment with different oils, extra virgin olive oil, hazelnut or grapeseed oil and different acids, lemon, vinegars, perhaps a little mustard for flavour, and season with salt and pepper. If the seasoning is there but you're finding it a little too acidic, you've cracked it, because once the dressing is on the salad leaves, it will be perfect.
Rely On Those Who Know(10 of10)
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Get to know your butcher, baker and fishmonger. They will help you pick the best stuff at the best price. Sometimes it's worth going to three shops and a farmer's market because you have relationships with people who care about the food they are selling you.