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The EU should adopt tougher regulations on food advertising to children

September 02, 2003

Waiting for a green light for health?

The EU should adopt tougher regulations on food advertising to children and more effective labelling rules among a range of long-term measures to persuade Europeans to switch to a healthier diet, according to a report released today. (available to download from www.IOTF.org/media/)




The food industry should be encouraged to take a lead in helping to combat the epidemic of obesity, and give greater emphasis to healthier products while putting the brakes on the "hard sell" promoting products that have too much fat, sugar and salt.

Prof Philip James, chairman of the London-based International Obesity TaskForce, said that the food industry had to be "part of the solution" to the problem of increasing levels of overweight and obesity.

Effective measures to promote better lifestyles needed to incorporate changes in the way food was processed and marketed to make it easier for people to make healthy choices, he told a European Union conference in Milan. (for further information see: http://www.ueitalia2003.it/EN/LaPresidenzaInforma/Calendario/9/3/ev_3setopsscae.htm)

The IOTF report warns that Europe is at the crossroads for diet and diseases with overweight and obesity affecting as many as one in three children, and adult rates increasing throughout Europe. Obesity rates in Britain are three times the level they were in 1980 and the very severe Class 3 obesity levels had begun to rise.

The report says stronger and more focused prevention measures dealing with both diet and activity require the direct involvement of many departments of government as well as business and civil society. Politicians and business leaders need to agree to:

Better protection for children from the "aggressive" advertising and marketing.

Food and drink companies should commit to support public health goals.

Labelling should be made simpler for consumers to distinguish products that should not be over-consumed.

Farmers should be encouraged to increase the supply of fresh fruits and vegetables instead of subsidies for oils, fats and sugars.

An "active Europe" policy should involve a vigorous reassessment of urban development, and transport policies to depend less on cars and make it easier to be active.

The EU should involve a wider cross-section of experts, NGOs and industry to develop long term healthy lifestyles initiatives.

International Obesity TaskForce



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