A COUNCIL is to target supermarkets in an oral health campaign to get them to operate sugar-free checkouts.

Ribble Valley Council's community committee have backed East Lancashire Health Authority's oral health strategy, although they refused to support the fluoridation of water supplies.

But they did agree to actively promote and pursue supermarkets to operate sugar-free checkouts, after hearing that Asian children in East Lancashire in particular suffered from a high level of tooth decay.

"Tooth decay is the most common oral disease. Its main cause is the frequent consumption of sugary foods and drinks. Children of Asian origin suffer more from dental problems than any other children.

"The most effective, safe and efficient public health measure for reducing tooth decay is the fluoridation of the public water supply and the health authority will continue to campaign for water supplies in the North West to be fluoridated as soon as possible," the meeting heard. But environmental health officer James Russell, told the committee that the council was against fluoridation.

"I would remind the committee that this council is against such a move and is one of 28 local authorities in the region to hold this view," he said.

But councillors did agree to "actively promote and pursue supermarkets to operate sugar-free checkouts."

Mr Russell said after the meeting that the council would now be writing to supermarkets in the Ribble Valley to draw their attention to the startegy.

"We will be asking them to consider the issues it raises and take the appropriate action," he said.

The council would also be contacting nurseries and schools to encourage them to develop food policies that reduce the intake of sugary snacks and drinks, he said.

Councillors decided to review their policy on fluoridation at a future meeting.

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