WHO resists food industry pressure on its diet plan
http://www.100md.com
《英国医生杂志》
Geneva
The final draft of a global plan on how governments can help millions of people avoid chronic disease through diet and exercise has not been watered down under industry pressure, the World Health Organization said.
In 2002, WHO member states asked the organisation to come up with a plan to help them combat the growing burden of non-communicable diseases, such as cardiovascular diseases, type 2 diabetes, cancers, and obesity related conditions. These diseases together account for about 60% of deaths globally—most of them in the developing world.
WHO's global strategy on diet, physical activity, and health was recently amended to take into consideration proposals from 70 member states. It was published on the internet on 19 April ahead of adoption at the world health assembly being held in Geneva on 17 to 22 May.
Some countries, such as the United States, wanted to emphasise the role of individuals in taking responsibility for their health, while underlining the vital role of governments in "enabling" people to make healthier choices.
But despite intense pressure from the sugar, soft drinks, and food industries the WHO text retains its original reference to the role of taxation and subsidy in promoting production of healthier food and drink and still calls for more responsible marketing practices.
It also calls on the industry to limit levels of saturated fats, trans fatty acids, sugar, and salt in existing products and to use "clear and consistent food labelling" and evidence based health claims to help consumers make informed and healthy choices.
The strategy urges companies to "follow responsible marketing practices, particularly with regard to the promotion and marketing of foods high in saturated fats, sugars or salt, and especially to children."
Chewy sweets can contain high levels of sugar; WHO has called on the food industry to limit sugar levels in it s products
Credit: ANDREW MCCLENAGHAN/SPL
"The draft strategy remains faithful to the spirit and intent of the previous January 2004 Executive Board draft, produced through a wide-ranging consultation process with all stakeholders over 18 months," WHO said in a statement.
WHO originally intended to use a joint WHO and Food and Agriculture Organization expert consultation on diet, nutrition, and the prevention of chronic diseases, known as TRS 916. This was unveiled a year ago as the basis for the strategy ( BMJ 2003;326: 515).
In its final draft WHO followed critics' advice and referred to TRS 916 as one of several scientific sources that governments can use to develop guidelines.
The plan has the backing of wealthy countries in Europe and Asia, as well as Australia, New Zealand, and Canada. The United States initially opposed it, and other countries that produce sugar—particularly in the developing world—have vowed to challenge it.(Fiona Fleck)
The final draft of a global plan on how governments can help millions of people avoid chronic disease through diet and exercise has not been watered down under industry pressure, the World Health Organization said.
In 2002, WHO member states asked the organisation to come up with a plan to help them combat the growing burden of non-communicable diseases, such as cardiovascular diseases, type 2 diabetes, cancers, and obesity related conditions. These diseases together account for about 60% of deaths globally—most of them in the developing world.
WHO's global strategy on diet, physical activity, and health was recently amended to take into consideration proposals from 70 member states. It was published on the internet on 19 April ahead of adoption at the world health assembly being held in Geneva on 17 to 22 May.
Some countries, such as the United States, wanted to emphasise the role of individuals in taking responsibility for their health, while underlining the vital role of governments in "enabling" people to make healthier choices.
But despite intense pressure from the sugar, soft drinks, and food industries the WHO text retains its original reference to the role of taxation and subsidy in promoting production of healthier food and drink and still calls for more responsible marketing practices.
It also calls on the industry to limit levels of saturated fats, trans fatty acids, sugar, and salt in existing products and to use "clear and consistent food labelling" and evidence based health claims to help consumers make informed and healthy choices.
The strategy urges companies to "follow responsible marketing practices, particularly with regard to the promotion and marketing of foods high in saturated fats, sugars or salt, and especially to children."
Chewy sweets can contain high levels of sugar; WHO has called on the food industry to limit sugar levels in it s products
Credit: ANDREW MCCLENAGHAN/SPL
"The draft strategy remains faithful to the spirit and intent of the previous January 2004 Executive Board draft, produced through a wide-ranging consultation process with all stakeholders over 18 months," WHO said in a statement.
WHO originally intended to use a joint WHO and Food and Agriculture Organization expert consultation on diet, nutrition, and the prevention of chronic diseases, known as TRS 916. This was unveiled a year ago as the basis for the strategy ( BMJ 2003;326: 515).
In its final draft WHO followed critics' advice and referred to TRS 916 as one of several scientific sources that governments can use to develop guidelines.
The plan has the backing of wealthy countries in Europe and Asia, as well as Australia, New Zealand, and Canada. The United States initially opposed it, and other countries that produce sugar—particularly in the developing world—have vowed to challenge it.(Fiona Fleck)