Dairies not 'main cause of obesity'

Lance Purdie thinks plans in Auckland to stop dairies selling junk food to kids is stupid. Photo / Michael Cunningham

Northland dairy owners say they shouldn't have to be the "lolly police" in order to stop obesity in children.

It comes after Auckland Regional Public Health Service proposed to limit the number of dairies in certain areas and ban them from selling junk food to kids.

Kamo Dairy and Lotto owner Lance Purdie said a plan like that would never get off the ground in Northland. It was unfair because children were getting unhealthy food from many places, he said.

"It's not just us," Mr Purdie said. "You can spend $10 at the supermarket and walk out with a trolley of crap."

He said people should be more concerned with the high number of takeaway stores in areas like Kamo.

Mr Purdie questioned why the Auckland health service was putting the responsibility on shop owners. "Why aren't the teachers the lolly police then?"

While he described the proposal as "pointless", if something like it went ahead in Northland it likely would not impact him much as most of his revenue came from Lotto.

Another store owner, who did not want to be named, said it should be parents not the shopkeepers' responsibility.

Northland medical officer of health Clair Mills said obesity in Northland children was a huge problem.

"Given the challenge of reducing obesity in our community, it is important that conversations and debate on issues like restrictions on the sale of fizzy drinks and lollies is happening," Dr Mills said.

While the DHB did not have a firm position on the recommendations in the Auckland plan, it was interested in looking at any approach to reducing obesity that would be effective and equitable, she said.

"We are facing an epidemic of diabetes and obesity-related ill health in Northland," Dr Mills said. While one in four children were overweight, one in eight were obese.