The Food & Grocery Council (FGC) congratulates Foodstuffs, Brandworld and FGC members on yesterday's prime time launch of "Eat Wise & Exercise", a national campaign designed to deliver good nutritional information to New Zealanders.

"This is an excellent example of how the food industry voluntarily plays its part in delivering healthy food messages to New Zealanders without the need of burdensome government regulation or taxpayer funds, said Katherine Rich, Chief Executive of the Food & Grocery Council.

"This campaign demonstrates to those who would lock food companies out of public health discussions on obesity, that not only can the food industry play a positive role, but good nutritional information and good business are not mutually exclusive.

"This project follows other successful food industry initiatives during the last 12 months such as the bread salt reduction project and the commitment to halt direct sales of full sugar drinks to schools.

"FGC is confident that this campaign, amongst other food industry initiatives, will get many New Zealanders thinking about the importance of a healthy balanced diet and exercise, no doubt at the fraction of the cost of taxpayer-funded campaigns in the past.

"FGC wishes those involved with the "Eat Wise and Exercise" campaign every success.