KINGSTON, Jamaica (JIS) — Minister of Health, Dr Christopher Tufton, has lauded LASCO for joining the national campaign to promote healthy eating and lifestyle by introducing low-sugar food drinks.

He said the move demonstrates “visionary social responsibility and forward-thinking”.

“It demonstrates a genuine concern for the health and wellness of the consumers that are being served. The public-health profile of our population requires us to respond to the increasing incidence of lifestyle-related illnesses,” he added.

 Tufton was addressing a press conference to launch the products at the company’s Central Village location in St Catherine today.

LASCO has introduced low-sugar variants in its flagship food drink range, which contain 50 per cent less sugar than the original products.

This, the company says, translates to 11 grams of sugar per serving, which is similar to the sugar content of Lasoy Milk Free, which is considered a low-sugar product.

The low-sugar food-drink variant provides consumers with alternatives well-suited to their individual health needs.

Dr Tufton said the move by LASCO will “add to the balance that we promote in terms of consumption habits and diet. That will augur well for the health and wellness of the population”.    

He urged more food manufacturers to follow LASCO’s example in providing healthier consumption choices.  

Minister of Education, Youth and Information, Senator Ruel Reid, also welcomed the move by LASCO.

He said that by reducing the sugar content in its popular food drinks, LASCO is providing healthier alternatives for students.

Meanwhile, Executive Chairman of the company, Lascelles Chin, said the company wants to offer solutions for a healthier population and to reduce non-communicable diseases (NCDs).