A bill giving the Government sweeping powers to combat obesity could lead to supermarkets being told where to place unhealthy food and restrictions on television advertising of junk food to children, critics say.
The Public Health Bill provides new ways for the Cabinet or the Director-General of Health to act against suspected causes of obesity.
Health groups are strongly backing the new provisions, but the advertising industry is lobbying politicians to amend the bill before it is passed.
National’s health spokesman, Tony Ryall, yesterday labelled features of the bill as “nanny state gone too far” and said it could result in stores being told where to place items such as wine and cheese and restrictions on the sale of some products near schools.
It could also have implications for fast-food sponsorships.
