By Rebecca Fraser
THE opening of Narre Warren’s Krispy Kreme store was not without protest on Thursday, with an Australian-based salad company wrestling the doughnut chain.
Protestors from fast-food chain SumoSalad flocked to the Victorian launch to deliver one clear message to those in the queue – do not become an obesity statistic by eating fatty junk food, eat a healthy balanced diet instead.
James Miller, co-director for SumoSalad, said with so many Australians being seriously overweight and diabetes becoming an ever-increasing concern, a four-day celebration over the opening of a doughnut shop seemed excessive.
“It’s sending the wrong message to consumers, in particular children who can often not stop at just one.
“We just wanted to remind people that a nutritious and balanced diet is the way to a healthier lifestyle,” he said.
Mr Miller said every year about 40,000 children in Australia become obese or overweight, a rate that, alarmingly, is increasing faster than any other country.
Nutritionist and author Catherine Saxelby said the problem was that treat foods were too readily accessible, especially to children.
“Treats should remain just that, something to be eaten on special occasions and in limited quantities,” Ms Saxelby said.
The early-morning publicity stunt appeared to fall on deaf ears, with many doughnut fans telling the News the demonstration had been funny and entertaining and had not deterred them from lining up for the treats.