Boris reveals he’s lost a stone in health kick as industry warns banning junk food ads will hike up prices

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BORIS Johnson today revealed he’s lost a stone in weight since his coronavirus battle – as the food industry hit back at drastic plans to tackle obesity.

The PM said he’s cut down on his food and ramped up the exercise regime in a health kick after nearly losing his life to the virus earlier this year.

Britain’s Prime Minister Boris Johnson visits the Tollgate Medical Centre in Beckton, London

Under plans being finalised by ministers, junk food adverts could be banned online and before the 9pm watershed to stop kids getting hooked on unhealthy grub.

Shops could also be barred from promoting unhealthy food and drink products in store as part of a drive to improve the health of the nation.

He will unveil the Government’s new obesity strategy on Monday.

Obesity is a major risk factor in people getting seriously ill from the virus, medical experts say.

Speaking to Sky News this morning as he urged everyone to get the flu vaccine this winter to protect the NHS, the PM said: “I’m on the way, I’ve lost about a stone and a bit.

“Primarily by eating less, but also by a lot of exercise.”

The PM was asked about suggestions the Government may ban junk food adverts before the watershed, and said: “I’m not normally a believer in nannying… type of politics.

“Losing weight is, frankly, one of the ways that you can reduce your own risks from Covid.”

He didn’t go into any more detail about what the new obesity strategy might involve.

But earlier today Tim Rycroft, COO at the Food and Drink Federation, blasted the plans as a “slap in the face” for the industry.

“The Government is about to, it seems, deliver a slap in the face to the food industry which has worked so heroically over the past four months to keep the nation fed, at some considerable risk to itself.

“Its going ban promotions of food ten days before the Chancellor launches the biggest food promotion the country has ever seen.

“It’s going to put enormous costs on the advertising industry and on broadcasters on a time where the economy is in quite a tenuous situation.

“The result of this will be higher prices for shoppers, less choice.

“And all of this to reduce our average intake per day by 17 calories.”

He said it was “extraordinary” the Government was still focused on the idea of a watershed, when the world was now digital and online.

He also warned that prices could go up if promotions were curbed.

He added: “These promotions, help make food cheaper that’s an imp thing at the moment. The government’s figures show that the average family will spend £600 more on their shopping if there are no promotional discounts.

“Is that something we really want to do at the moment when people are so hard pressed?”

John O’Connell, chief executive of the TaxPayers’ Alliance, added: “Hard-pressed hungry shoppers don’t need Boris piling on the pounds to their weekly food bill. 

“Ministers are telling taxpayers to ‘eat out to help out’ the economy, but also want to abolish the kind of price promotions which keep costs down and make everyday food affordable for millions. 

“If it wants people to be out shopping, providing for their families and keeping the economy afloat, the government needs to stop this silly supermarket snobbery.” 

Boris is said to have been persuaded by medical and nutritional advisers that tackling obesity is 80 per cent diet and 20 per cent exercise.

 

 

The radical plans contrast with the PM’s previous opposition to nanny state interventions but in May he said he had undergone a “damascene conversion” following his own brush with death after catching coronavirus, which disproportionately affects overweight men.

He said he the coronavirus pandemic had convinced him that urgent action was needed to tackle Britain’s obesity crisis.

But HOAR revealed last week that he had drawn a red line at fresh sugar taxes as he does not want to people to feel “bullied” into eating healthier.

Instead he and Health Secretary Matt Hancock hope a ban on online adverts and pre-9pm TV ads will change people’s shopping and eating habits. Sources said the obesity strategy will be about “helping people make better choices”.

Junk food ads could be curbed as part of plans to tackle obesity

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