Are Unhealthy Foods Putting Children's Health at Risk?
Children in Britain are facing a severe health crisis due to the rise of ultra-processed foods, warns Professor Chris van Tulleken, a global health expert and BBC TV doctor. Speaking to MPs, he highlighted how many foods marketed as "healthy" are engineered to bypass natural hunger signals, leading to overconsumption and contributing to an obesity pandemic. Alarmingly, 10.5% of children in England start primary school obese, doubling to 22.2% by year 6. Similar trends are seen in Malta, where ultra-processed foods are increasingly replacing the country's traditionally healthy Mediterranean diet. Professor van Tulleken criticized deceptive food marketing practices, such as misleading packaging and the use of cartoon characters, which make it difficult for parents to make informed choices. He called for stricter regulations, including limits on salt, sugar, and fat content, as well as greater transparency in the food industry. Malta, with its rich culinary heritage, offers opportunities to embrace fresh, wholesome ingredients, but
Are Unhealthy Foods Feeding Our Children to Death? A Sobering Warning for Parents
Children in Britain are facing a dire health crisis fueled by an increasingly unhealthy diet, according to Professor Chris van Tulleken, a global health expert at University College London and BBC TV doctor. Speaking to MPs at the House of Commons Health and Social Care Committee, Professor van Tulleken warned of an "obesity pandemic" driven by commercial interests, exposing how many foods marketed as "healthy" might actually be contributing to the problem.
From baked beans and fish fingers to whole grain bread, yoghurt, and breakfast cereals, many of these everyday products are deceptively marketed to appear beneficial for health, yet often lead to calorie consumption far above recommended daily levels. "Everything about the packaging and the marketing says this is healthy – there is not one red traffic light on any of these things," Professor van Tulleken said, referring to the UK’s food labelling system. Despite their appearance, these foods are engineered to bypass natural hunger signals, making it easy to consume them in excess. He added that even when adhering to calorie guidelines, individuals often consume far too much salt, sugar, and saturated fat—key contributors to diet-related diseases.
This issue isn’t limited to Britain. Here in Malta, where Mediterranean cuisine is celebrated for its health benefits, global food marketing trends are reshaping diets, particularly among younger generations. While Malta boasts a rich culinary tradition filled with fresh seafood, legumes, and wholesome grains, ultra-processed foods are increasingly finding their way into Maltese homes. Parents may find themselves facing similar challenges when navigating supermarket aisles, where packaging often touts health claims but masks the reality of what’s inside.
Professor van Tulleken questioned the concept of personal responsibility in such an environment, particularly for parents trying to make healthier choices for their children. "How do you go into a shop and pick something healthy when all of the packaging says it’s good for you? There’s no warning, no marketing restriction, and even cartoon characters on the box suggest it supports your family’s health," he argued. For parents, especially those with limited resources, these deceptive tactics make it nearly impossible to discern what’s truly healthy.
The professor’s concerns are supported by alarming statistics: in England, 10.5% of children entering primary school are obese, with the figure doubling to 22.2% by the time they reach year 6. Malta also struggles with high rates of childhood obesity, ranking among Europe’s top nations for overweight children, according to recent studies. These figures highlight the urgent need for better education, stricter food regulations, and greater transparency to protect the health of future generations.
Professor van Tulleken identified commercial incentives as a major driver behind the rise of obesity and other diet-related diseases. "Big food companies are feeding our kids and adults ultimately to death, and they know they’re doing it," he stated. "These foods are engineered to be consumed in excess, and they are marketed directly to vulnerable children." Shockingly, he revealed that some food industry scientists admit to deliberately designing products to override natural satiety cues, ensuring consumers eat more than they should.
The professor also pointed to decades of interference from the food industry, which has made it difficult to define "unhealthy food" clearly. While Malta’s food culture prioritizes fresh, local ingredients, the growing presence of ultra-processed products could undermine these traditions. To combat this, experts like van Tulleken suggest stricter regulations, including removing cartoon characters from children’s food packaging, tightening rules around salt, fat, sugar, and calories, and reducing the influence of food corporations on policy-making.
In Malta, health-conscious diners can take steps to prioritize fresh and minimally processed foods when shopping or dining out. Restaurants across the island are increasingly offering menus focused on locally sourced produce, heart-healthy Mediterranean dishes, and options free from excessive salt, sugar, and fat. From the vibrant fish markets in Marsaxlokk to farm-to-table eateries in Gozo, Malta provides ample opportunities to embrace a healthier lifestyle while supporting local producers.
Professor van Tulleken emphasized the importance of immediate policy action, stating: "We don’t need more research to have really strong policy action." He called for tighter regulations to address the pervasive issue of ultra-processed foods dominating our diets. With 95% of these foods in the UK being high in salt, fat, sugar, or calories, the professor described the current food system as "deeply unjust," leaving many people no choice but to consume unhealthy options.
For parents and food enthusiasts in Malta, these warnings serve as a reminder to stay vigilant about the foods we choose for ourselves and our children. While Malta’s culinary heritage offers a wealth of healthy options, the rising influence of ultra-processed foods requires us to be more discerning. Opting for fresh, whole ingredients and dining at restaurants that prioritize health-conscious cooking can help counteract the effects of deceptive food marketing.
By embracing Malta’s rich tradition of wholesome, Mediterranean eating and advocating for stricter food regulations, we can work towards a healthier future for ourselves and our children—one meal at a time.