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Food Agency “Ignoring Killers On Its Doorstep”

Wednesday 5 November 2003

Northern Ireland’s top heart charity has called on the Food Standards Agency to concentrate on the UK’s biggest killers instead of dealing with headline-grabbing issues affecting relatively few people.

Northern Ireland’s top heart charity has called on the Food Standards Agency to concentrate on the UK’s biggest killers instead of dealing with headline-grabbing issues affecting relatively few people.

Sir John Krebs, Chairman of the Agency, is visiting Northern Ireland today. But the NI Chest, Heart and Stroke Association believes the FSA is ignoring the tens of thousands of deaths caused by excessive amounts of saturated fat, sugar and salt.

Heart disease and stroke account for 2 out of every 5 deaths in Northern Ireland. At the same time, the Food Standards Agency enjoys most of its media coverage from warnings about food poisoning and similar issues.

Andrew Dougal, Chief Executive of the NICHSA, said: “Food poisoning kills a very small number of people. Yet because Government Ministers are fixated on negative coverage, the FSA focuses its resources disproportionately. Those appointed by the Government tend to direct resources inefficiently to these issues which concern Ministers.

“The Food Standards Agency could save many more lives by directing its attention to poor diet and its effects.”

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