Diabetic foods criticised

Diabetics are being 'cynically misled' into spending pounds 15m a year on special foods which are unnecessary and have no nutritional advantages, a report claims today.

The criticism from the Food Commission, an independent consumer watchdog, is supported by the British Diabetic Association. 'There is no evidence to suggest these products offer any advantages,' the association said. The commission's Food Magazine analysed various diabetic foods including jam, a cereal bar and chocolate. All scored badly on health and cost.

But Boots, a leading maker of diabetic foods, said the report was 'inaccurate': the foods met all legal requirements and cost more because of dearer ingredients.