60% of kids can't boil an egg

Heating up a ready meal and using the microwave pose no challenge to UK kids, according to a new poll from the British Heart Foundation (BHF) but boiling an egg or peeling a potato is beyond their know-how.

The research shows that almost six in ten eight to 15 year-olds surveyed would struggle to boil an egg or use a vegetable peeler. Just three in ten would be happy tending a frying pan, although this doesn't stop them consuming almost five litres of cooking oil a year as a result of their pack-a-day crisp habits.

Maura Gillespie, BHF head of policy, said 'We are at serious risk of completely losing touch with where our food comes from and how it is made. This sort of knowledge is crucial to being able to make healthy choices and living a healthy lifestyle.'

She added that possible solutions included introducing compulsory cooking lessons is schools and banning the TV advertising of junk food before the 9pm watershed. Television watchdog Ofcom is currently considering introducing such a ban.

This week, left-wing think-tank Compass called for the government to ban ads aimed at under-12s claiming that 70% of three year-olds recognise the McDonald's logo whilst only 50% know their own surname.

Public Health Minister Caroline Flint said 'We are working with the food manufacturers and retailers to reduce fat, salt and sugar in their foods and to provide clear labelling on packaged food that will make it simpler for people to make healthy eating choices at a glance.'

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