Winners across eight categories selected to honour 'the good, the bad and the appalling' in food targeted at children awarded fresh fruit its Healthy Gnashers award for healthy foods which do not use added sugars to entice children or parents to purchase and eat them. Singled out for special recognition were kiwifruit, apples, grapes and bananas.

Local nurseries and primary schools in general were given the High Five Award for their commitment to promoting consumption of five portions for fruit and vegetables a day.

More awards are planned for the coming autumn term as the Food Commission, which ran the awards, said its jury gave parents a voice with which to express their opinions. The commission has vowed to pass these on to the food industry and government.

'Parents are increasingly worried about the foods targeted at their children,' said jury co-ordinator and nutritionist Annie Seeley. 'Children's foods are often low in essential nutrients but high in fat, salt and sugar, and rely on artificial colourings and flavourings for their appeal to children. They are sold using manipulative marketing techniques which encourage children to pester parents into buying such foods.'

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