Nando’s, the fast-food chicken outlet, has not been singled out by the government’s Healthy Lifestyle campaign, a spokesperson for the minister of health said on Monday.
”The emphasis on healthy eating applies to all fried foods and to all outlets selling such food. Nando’s was not singled out,” said Sibani Mngadi, spokesperson for Minister of Health Manto Tshabalala-Msimang.
”The Healthy Lifestyle programme was initiated after this year’s State of the Nation address to raise public awareness on food, nutrition and healthy lifestyle issues,” Mngadi said.
According to the Pretoria News, Tshabalala-Msimang was sent a letter by Nando’s demanding she withdraw remarks allegedly made about its food being unhealthy.
Nando’s made the request after Tshabalala-Msimang allegedly said: ”I hope you [Members in the House] don’t eat McDonald’s … or Nando’s or stuff like that.”
The remark was allegedly made during the minister’s budget vote last week.
Mngadi confirmed the chicken outlet had placed an advertisement in the Sunday Times citing its concern over the alleged statement, but could not yet verify whether the minister had received a letter to that effect.
”According to the government’s Healthy Lifestyle programme, all fried foods are considered unhealthy, but Nando’s chicken products, which the health department believes are not fried, do not fall into the category of unhealthy foods,” Mngadi said.
Mngadi said Nando’s chips, however, and all other fried foods from fast-food outlets will be classified as unhealthy.
”Nando’s believes that the minister was misinformed about the issues at hand in terms of Nando’s food and we support her views on maintaining a healthy lifestyle,” said Paul Appleton, marketing manager for Nando’s.
Appleton said the company is very happy that the Department of Health has sent out a statement clarifying its views on Nando’s chicken products.
McDonald’s South Africa said it supports the focus on active lifestyles, as announced by the Department of Health last month.
McDonald’s said it will be ”engaging the health department and other stakeholders to explore ways of working together to promote this focus on active, balanced lifestyles”. It said the approach is in line with the company’s ”Go Active!” campaign, launched in March.
Famous Brands, which operates Steers, Wimpy and Debonairs, among others, could not be reached for comment. — Sapa