SUMMER 2015 NEWS NEWS Advice on the term suitable for diabetics A European Commission Committee has recently declared that certain statements on foods such as diabetic and suitable for diabetics should not be used and are likely to contravene EU and UK law. Department of Health advice is that specialist foods are not necessary, and people with diabetes should manage their condition by consuming a healthy, balanced diet to manage weight and control blood glucose, blood pressure and blood fat level. This view is supported by NICE guidance to health care professionals and Diabetes UK, which advises that diabetic foods such as chocolate, sweets, biscuits and bakery ranges can be high in calories and fat, and continued consumption of these foods can contribute to weight gain and increase an individuals susceptibility to other health conditions such as strokes. Foods labelled as diabetic may be misleading consumers into buying them in the belief that their special characteristics will help to control the condition. In reality, these foods often possess the characteristics of other similar reducedsugar foods. Trading standards officers are therefore being urged to advise businesses to remove such claims. If firms want to attribute a particular benefit to their food, this may be achieved by the use of an approved FIND OUT MORE For more advice on fair and accurate food claim such information, see the UK government website, or for as Reduced advice please contact your Local Authority. sugar. Credits: Stuart Powell Images: ratmaner / Shutterstock