Best and worst in kids' food industry - awards

NZME.

25 Nov, 2014 04:55 AM3 mins to read

Winners from the Weet-Bix TRYathlon campaign which encourages kids to eat a healthy breakfast and compete in local triathlons. Photo / Paul Taylor

The "goodies" and "baddies" of the kids' food industry have been named in the annual Munch Food Awards.

The Munch Awards were established last year with the aim of raising awareness of which foods were best for children.

Parents were asked to make nominations in different categories over a three-week period, followed by three weeks of online voting.

The Weet-Bix TRYathlon has come up trumps, taking out the new Supreme Award, which unlike other awards was decided by a panel of judges. It also won the Best Kids Food Marketing Campaign award.

The Weet-Bix TRYathlon campaign encouraged kids to eat a healthy breakfast and compete in local triathlons, Director of Munch Anna Bordignon said.

"The Weet-Bix Kids TRYathlon inspires children to get moving in a friendly and supportive environment where the emphasis is on enjoying the experience as part of an active lifestyle rather than competition."

McDonald's won the Worst Kids Food Marketing Campaign for its Happy Meals.

Ms Bordignon said the issue with Happy Meals was the link between rewarding a child with a toy and unhealthy food choices.

A McDonalds spokeswoman said the company had no insight into the criteria for the awards and questioned their motivation.

"We would welcome the opportunity to discuss the views put forward regarding our Happy Meals but to date we have been unable to make contact with the Munch Award organisers.

"Our customers tell us they appreciate the choice we offer on our menu, including the healthier options available in Happy Meals."

Coca-Cola won the Worst Kids Food Product award but hit back after being labelled one of the "baddies".

One voter commented that "sugary drinks just shouldn't be marketed to kids."

A Coca-Cola spokesman said the company did not market their product to children.

"Coca-Cola has very strict guidelines when it comes to responsible marketing, across the globe, across advertising media of all our beverages, particularly marketing to children."

As part of its global effort to help address obesity in 2013, the company re-affirmed its commitment to responsible marketing, he said.

"We do not buy advertising directly targeted at audiences that are more than 35 per cent children under the age of 12.

"This includes television, radio, print and, where data is available, the internet and mobile phones."

The Munch Awards are an extension of Munch, an online network that has a database of over 20,000 parents, grandparents and carers, who have an interest in improving the food, food products and physical activity requirements of New Zealand children.