Reuters
Researchers in Canada have found that most food products aimed specifically at children have poor nutritional content even though more than half of the products are marketed to the contrary. They also found that nine out of 10 food items provided poor nutritional value because of high levels of sugar, fat or sodium.

Nearly three quarters of the products - which excluded soft drinks, and confectionary and bakery items - derived a high proportion of their calories from sugar and one in five had high fat levels, and 17 percent had high sodium levels.

Even so, 62 percent of the products with poor nutritional quality made positive claims on the front of the packaging, amid increasing concerns over childhood obesity.

The study, published in the July issue of the journal Obesity Reviews, found that just 11 percent of the products studied provided good nutritional value according to criteria set by the Center of Science in the Public Interest, a U.S. non-profit agency.

The study looked at 367 products and included products that had a cartoon on the front of the box or were tied to children's films, television programs or other merchandise.
  • Have any similar studies been conducted on "fun foods" in Ireland or Europe?

    Are there any requirements on producers to ensure that their packaging is accurate?

    Is the information on packaging comprehensible?