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Supermarkets have a responsibility not to widen health inequalities says National Heart Forum

01 December 2006

Commenting on a new report from the National Consumer Council published today (Friday, 1 December) Short changed on health? How supermarkets affect your chances of a healthy diet, Paul Lincoln of the National Heart Forum welcomed the focus on barriers to low-income consumers eating a healthier diet, and shared the NCC's concern that retailers are undermining efforts to reduce health inequalities:

"Many consumers on low-income are very dependent on economy-range foods and cannot afford to choose premium priced 'healthier products. It is inexcusable for some supermarkets to effectively widen inequalities in dietary health by apparently operating double standards on what goes into their cheaper foods, and by failing to offer their customers a simple, traffic light system of signposting that surveys have shown is the most easy to use by shoppers from all social groups to select healthier products."

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Press Contacts

For interviews please contact Paul Lincoln, Chief Executive on 07946 433215 or Tim Marsh, Associate Director on 07713514942.  They can also be contacted during office hours on 0207 383 7638.

Notes to editors