Tesco's so called generosity

[DeusXM]

I'll say this for Tesco, they put detailed 'per portion' nutritional information on nearly everything, which is certainly better than some other supermarkets.

 

[JoeFreeman]

The Diabetes UK sell out to Tesco has been discussed in detail several times - eighty years of independence, objectivity, reputation thrown away in flash on the promise of a few quid.

We'll maintain our independence, objectivity and reputation. As stated in a previous post, "either party's objectives would not be compromised in any way by the other group". Our stance on any subject has not and will not be dictated in any way.

And "a few quid" is more than a third of our total income in 2012. ?10millon will enable us to do so much more to help people with all types of diabetes, raise awareness amongst even more people who are at risk of Type 2, and hopefully find a vaccine for Type 1 - all of which will be beyond what we are already able to do.

I understand a partnership like this will generate some negative comments (I've read the thread you linked to) but we do truly believe that a lot of good will come from us working with Tesco. It's a huge opportunity that we plan to make the most of.

Hope this helps as a way of some explanation. More than happy to constructive see feedback like this 🙂

 

[Copepod]

The Diabetes UK sell out to Tesco has been discussed in detail several times - eighty years of independence, objectivity, reputation thrown away in flash on the promise of a few quid.
And the Diabetes UK website is now puffing the Tesco Diet with the word "Tesco diet" dolled out in DUK colours ...
http://www.diabetessupport.co.uk/boards/showthread.php?t=35232&highlight=tesco

a diabetes charity ( and diabetes is virtually all about food) should not have allied itself to a major food retailer. Its just a matter of principle.

I can't agree that "diabetes is virtually all about food".
Some forms of diabetes only occur in pregnancy; in all types, maintaining a healthy weight (through the right types and amounts of foods) and active lifestyle are vital.
However, food is vital to all humans, and supermarkets also sell items related to sports, pets (dog walking encourages many people to take more exercise than they would otherwise) etc.
Useful dietary information on food packs is very helpful.
Until I see evidence to the contrary (which may never happen, and I hope it doesn't) I'll trust DUK to maintain its independence - and to make best use of the income generated by the partnership.

 

[mcdonagh47]

Until I see evidence to the contrary (which may never happen, and I hope it doesn't) I'll trust DUK to maintain its independence - and to make best use of the income generated by the partnership.

Duk has already lost its independence. They are "highlighting" the Tesco Diet on their website. A diet that costs members ?49 for six months and was shot to pieces when discussed on this support group ....

http://www.diabetessupport.co.uk/boards/showthread.php?t=35340&highlight=tesco+diet

pure advertising , was it in the small print of the agreement that DUK had to advertise the Tesco Diet I wonder ?

 

[redrevis]

BUT:

Products highlighted on Diabetes UK's website are not necessarily endorsed by Diabetes UK.

So they can highlight anything and not endorse it. Seems a bit odd.

 

[mcdonagh47]

yes that disclaimer from DiABETES UK is distressing and irresponsible and shows how far DUK has compromised its integrity by selling its soul to Tesco. They are advertising/selling a diet to diabetics that they cannot actually endorse !!! Its our health and lives they are playing with - DUK should ONLY be highlighting diets they CAN endorse as being good for diabetics.
Its seems that greed has blinded DUK to its responsibilities and the real interests of its members.

 

[everydayupsanddowns]

yes that disclaimer from DiABETES UK is distressing and irresponsible and shows how far DUK has compromised its integrity by selling its soul to Tesco. They are advertising/selling a diet to diabetics that they cannot actually endorse !!! Its our health and lives they are playing with - DUK should ONLY be highlighting diets they CAN endorse as being good for diabetics.
Its seems that greed has blinded DUK to its responsibilities and the real interests of its members.

I have no problem at all with DUK raising a MASSIVE amount to futher their research into/support of people living with diabetes (of all types) by working with a major UK food retailer. Huge opportunity to raise awareness and all that.

Dietary advice from DUK though has been far too dogmatically carbs=good, fat=bad for far too long though IMO, and this has been the case *long* before this alliance with Tesco.

http://www.drbriffa.com/2012/03/05/...y-advice-diabetes-uk-dishes-out-to-diabetics/

Things seem to be changing for the better though, and I am pleased to note that many of the pages that used to say "lots of carbs at every meal" and "base every meal around 'starchy' carbohydrate" now take a more (sensible) moderate view about 'portion control' and 'all carbs raise blood glucose levels'.

Still too much reliance on the 'eatwell plate' for my taste (which is probably fine if you have a functioning metabolism, but becomes trickier for those with T2 who are essentially intolerant of carbohydrate in any form to a greater or lesser degree). But at least it's slowly moving in the right direction.

 

[ypauly]

Ultimately, the partnership will help us raise ?10million. That's a huge amount of money, that will enable us to do more in future, whilst also raising the profile of diabetes as a serious condition, which is extremely important.

This is a couple of hours profit for a massive organisation that would continue to sell food to people whether it's good or bad, as long as the bottom line is ok.

 

[Northerner]

I can understand the cynicism, but no-one seems to be putting forward an alternative method of raising ?10m for a charity, particularly in the current economic climate. Plus, it shouldn't be underestimated how much raising awareness can mean in the long term. Before I was diagnosed 5 years ago you barely ever heard the word 'diabetes', now it is everywhere and can't be ignored. If people encounter it and people prepared to explain it whilst going about their daily lives, then perhaps some of the negativity in the media can be countered.

 

[mcdonagh47]

This is a couple of hours profit for a massive organisation that would continue to sell food to people whether it's good or bad, as long as the bottom line is ok.

Joe keeps misrepresenting the figure involved - its not "?10 million" it is "up to ?10 million".
When the Alzheimer Society was charity partner with Tesco in 2011 they raised ?7.5 million through it ( a nice sum anyway). But their overall income only increased by ?3 million that year. That demonstrates that the most of the money coming from the scheme (?4.5 million) was not NEW money but money they would have got anyway through their normal fund raising channels. A big chunk of their usual take was just diverted via Tesco.
If the same thing happens this year DUK are not likely to get a fresh dollop of ?10 million on top of their usual income - much of it from the Tesco scheme will be their normal money recycled.
And, of course, only a vanishingly small portion ( e.g. via the ATMs) will be actually be coming from Tesco, it will be coming from the general public.
Tesco have bought a load of cheap publicity and kudos from taking the good name and reputation of DUK hostage.
And of course members of the general public might start saying I'm not contributing to normal DUk fundraising or JDRF ( or other charities) because my (diabetic ) charity pound is going to DUK via Tesco.