Papers Today

// Reilly tells broadcasting body of cheese benefits

Health Minister Dr James Reilly has rowed into the cheese row by telling the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland that cheese has nutritional benefits when taken in small amounts.

Dr Reilly confirmed his department has made a submission to the BAI on its Children’s Commercial Communications Code, with a view to banning cheese ads until after 9pm. The BAI is reviewing diet and nutrition rules contained in the code. While it covers a wide variety of food and drinks, the plan to include certain cheeses in the “less healthy” category has received the most criticism. In a written Dáil response to Fianna Fáil’s Billy Kelleher, Dr Reilly said that while the submission made on the code is not in the public domain, “I can confirm that my department’s submission considers cheese to have important nutritional benefits when eaten in small amounts”.

 “The food pyramid, is the education tool used by the Department of Health for educating consumers about healthy eating. “The food pyramid has a shelf designated solely to milk, yoghurt and cheese and recommends that three servings of these be consumed each day as these foods provide adequate calcium which is important for healthy bones and teeth. “It recommends that low fat choices be consumed regularly. The submission from my department is consistent with the food pyramid messages for healthy eating.” The Department of Health declined to release the submission. It has received 70 submissions to date.

By Gordon Deegan

Irish EXaminer

Tuesday, July 24, 2012

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