April Fool? "Sugar must only be available on prescription"
Tuesday, April 1, 2014 at 8:46 I confess I'm a curmudgeon when it comes to April Fool jokes.
What used to be a bit of fun has become boring and predictable. Why does anyone bother?
Truth is, real life is so ridiculous these days it's impossible to tell fact from fiction.
For example, is this an April Fool: Seven-a-day fruit and veg 'saves lives' (BBC News)?
Probably not, but it could be.
A couple of years ago we sent out a Hands Off Our Packs press release entitled 'Easter eggs to be sold in plain packaging':
Easter eggs could be sold in plain packaging from next year.
Public health campaigners want all seasonal confectionary to be sold in uniform beige packs which research has shown is the colour that is least appealing to children and the obese.
Proposals being considered by the Government would remove all branding and colourful packaging in an attempt to reduce indulgence levels.
Public health groups have welcomed the proposals. "If this legislation stops one young person from picking up a shiny, glitzy Easter egg and prevents them becoming addicted to chocolate then it will have been worthwhile," said Candy Barr, chief executive officer for Action on Eating and Health.
“We would also like Easter eggs to be sold behind closed doors in retail outlets. At present they are on open display which is far too tempting for customers.”
Yesterday we dug it out, dusted it down, and sent it to our media contacts in Ireland.
Last night our man in Cork, John Mallon, dropped me a note to say he's been booked to do an interview this morning on an Irish radio station.
Topic: plain packs for Easter eggs.
John says he will demand plain packaging for Easter Eggs "and much else too".
"Sugar," he says, "must only be available on prescription."
This should be fun. Listen live to Tipp FM online at 10.45.
Reader Comments (1)
The packaging for sugar must change.
Its reassuring, traditional white background and simple text ensures it stands out on supermarket shelves attracting unwitting consumers. Far from making the packaging plainer it should be given a brighter, sexy make-over to ensure it blends in and becomes hidden with other provisions and destroys its current natural homely image.