Four of New Zealand’s largest grocery retailers have been recognised by the NZ Food and Grocery Council for pledging to work on initiatives under the Government’s Childhood Obesity Plan.

The NZ Food and Grocery Council said supermarkets Foodstuffs, Progressive Enterprises, Moore Wilson, Bin Inn and industry association Retail NZ are to be congratulated for pledging to work on the projects.

Chief executive Katherine Rich said Retail NZ’s Pledge on Reducing Childhood Obesity, which the retailers have signed up to, sends exactly the right message.

“This is a powerful statement from four of New Zealand’s biggest grocery retailers,” Rich said.

“It shows that the retail side of the industry is serious about helping to tackle this concerning issue, and manufacturers welcome that,” she added.

According to Rich, in signing up to support product reformulation, education initiatives, healthier food choices, and the use of Health Star Ratings, Retail NZ and the supermarkets are joining the work manufacturers have been doing.

“Product reformulation to remove sugar, salt and fat from all sorts of foods – as well as making available low-cal and no-cal beverage options – has been going on for some years. And manufacturers have backed that up by developing or supporting many healthy food and lifestyle programmes in schools and communities,” Rich said.

“FGC believes that food literacy centred on moderation remains one of the best options to tackle obesity and encourage healthier lifestyles, and it’s a policy that mirrors the Government’s eating and activity guidelines for adults, which complement its package of initiatives aimed at reducing childhood obesity.”

As part of the retail industry’s pledge, Countdown also announced its health and nutrition targets.

The supermarket giant said it will increase fresh fruit and vegetable sales over the next year, and continue to roll out dedicated health food sections in Countdown stores. It also aims to have at least one confectionery-free checkout in 95 per cent of Countdown stores by the end of 2016.

“Countdown is committed to supporting initiatives that encourage healthy choices, as part of the wider efforts of Government and industry to address health challenges in New Zealand ” said James Walker, GM of corporate affairs for the retailer.