Soft drinks industry claims it’s a ‘scapegoat’ for obesity rise

SOFT drinks have been scapegoated for the rise in obesity among children, beverage industry chiefs said yesterday.

Executive director of the Beverage Council of Ireland (BCI) Bernard Murphy said a more realistic assessment would reveal that overindulgence in food and drink was part of the problem. Combined with this, pampered children were being driven to school and the lack of PE training in primary schools was a major contributory cause of obesity, Mr Murphy said.

In a robust defence of the industry he said many children were turning from the “playground” to the “PlayStation” with dire consequences for their health and well being.