The UK Government has launched a public health campaign called “Change 4 Life.” This  is targeted at making families aware of the importance of eating right on a budget. However, even as the public becomes aware the campaign is marred by criticism focused mainly on the question that whether this drive is for health or business? 

Let's see what the hullabaloo is actually about...

1) Change 4 Life

The UK Department of Health, which is running the show, is keen that families start cooking at home and eating a balanced meal every day. In this regard, a department spokesman said, “Shockingly, research has found that the second most popular evening meal is a sandwich opposed to a balanced meal. This doesn’t have to be the case. If we plan our meals and shopping we can save money and make healthier choices at mealtimes.” To help the families start doing that, the campaign outlines the following major steps:

1. In an effort to convince the families to eat healthy on a budget, the Government will start with mailing four million recipe leaflets to those families, which have already signed up with the campaign.
    
2. Three supermarkets have also agreed to slash prices of fruits, vegetables, and other such healthy ingredients in an attempt to support the Government campaign.
    
3. A number of online cooking tutorials, featuring celebrity chef Ainsley Harriott, will also be posted to the Change 4 Life website , to help and encourage people to cook balanced meals  at home. About this ‘Supermeals’ campaign, Harriott said, “Sometimes the thought of making meals from scratch can seem a bit daunting, but I have always tried to assure people that cooking at home can be really quick, easy, and doesn’t need to break the bank.”
    
4. A free cookbook of popular recipes, which you can cook over a month, is also being published. The healthy recipes included in this cookbook can be cooked by spending less than £5.

2) The Whistleblowers 

The Opposition is apparently not happy with the Government drive and its elected members are calling this drive an “advertisement for big business.” Shadow Public Health Minister, Diane Abbott had this to say, “They’re calling this public health but it’s just a glorified advertisement for big business. This is a government that doesn’t take its responsibility around public health seriously.”

3) The Supporters

However, it is not as if the Government campaign has no takers. The campaign is being supported by a number of agencies associated with public health. These are:-

a.     British Heart Foundation

b.     British Cycling

c.     Diabetes UK

d.     National Osteoporosis Society

e.     National Obesity Forum

f.      World Cancer Research Fund

One such Association’s spokesman said, “Evidence shows that people who eat a diet low in fat, added sugars and salt are less likely to develop chronic diseases in later life. You can protect against heart disease, for example, plus you’re less likely to be obese and have weight-related health problems.”

In addition to public health bodies, some of the prominent commercial brands supporting the campaign are:- Unilever, Tesco, Pepsico International, Nintendo, McCain, Kellogg’s, Aviva, and Crown Foods.