- New Zealand Government statistics show that 29,000 kids needed tooth extractions in a single year.
- Advocates are now calling for bans of sugary juices and soft drinks in schools.
- BUT Government-owned superannuation agencies have recently invested more than $262 million in junk food companies.
At least 29,000 kids needed tooth extractions between 2014–15, New Zealand Government statistics have confirmed.
To add to this shocking figure, the stats revealed four in every 10 children have tooth decay before they even start school. And the problem isn’t getting better with age – 274,000 adults also had teeth pulled due to decay, abscesses, gum disease or infection in the same year.
Anti-sugar advocates have now renewed calls to clamp down on sugar consumption, particularly in childhood. The New Zealand Dental Association wants schools to ban the sales of soft drinks and juices and offer water or milk instead. Sounds fair to us!
However, it looks unlikely that the NZ Government will act on sugar anytime soon. Fairfax Media reports that as of May 31 this year, state-owned superannuation agencies The New Zealand Superannuation Fund and Accident Compensation Corporation have invested more than $262 million into junk food companies.
Soft drink giants Coca-Cola and Pepsi both received sizeable sums (a combined $110 million and $69 million respectively). Is this the most judicious use of taxpayers’ money? With kids’ health at stake, we really don’t think so.
What do you think about these statistics? What can we be doing to help change them?
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