WEST Sussex families are being encouraged to ‘Be Food Smart’ by the county council.

The Be Food Smart challenge highlights the amount of sugar, saturated fat and salt found in everyday food and drink and encourages parents to take control of their children’s diet.

There are three new ways to take part:–

• Download the free Be Food Smart app which can be used to scan product barcodes to reveal total sugar, saturated fat and salt;

• Be Food Smart school packs and

• The launch of the Be Food Smart challenge in West Sussex libraries which are supporting the new national campaign.

There are prizes on offer through the libraries for taking part in a food detective activity.

WSCC member for community well-being Christine Field said: “I would encourage parents to download the Be Food Smart app, which helps you choose healthier food and drink options for your family. Anything which makes healthy choices easier is worthwhile.

“Children with a healthier diet are happier and able to concentrate better in school.”

The council says childhood obesity is a serious concern with figures showing more than one-fifth of West Sussex children in reception year (22.1 per cent) and more than a third of children in year six (34.2 per cent) were classified as above a healthy weight in 2015/16.