The Battle Part 1: Big Food vs Evidence-Based Food Policy
Big food companies Food policies
In the battle between evidence-based food policies and F&B industry interests, guess which side dominated?
When did the battle first start anyway?
We know by now that unhealthy diets have a direct impact on overweight, obesity, and malnutrition which are factors contributing to non- communicable diseases, and to their premature morbidity and mortality.
And.
Food products that contain excessive levels of unhealthy nutrients and ingredients, such as sugar, sodium, fat, and non-sugar sweeteners, are typically markers of processed and ultra-processed food and drink products (UPPs).
In turn,
International human rights law requires countries to ensure that everyone has access to timely and appropriate health care, nutritious and culturally appropriate food, and a healthy environment.
This includes making sure that people have both physical and economic access to food that is not only nutritionally adequate but also sustainable, meaning it can be provided continuously without harming the environment.
HOWEVER!
The widespread availability and aggressive promotion of unhealthy products contribute to the creation of unhealthy environments, which threatens the enjoyment of the right to health and adequate food.
And so, the battle begins.
Governments Governments take concrete, deliberate, and targeted measures to transform unhealthy environments by preventing enterprises from depriving individuals of their access to adequate food. This includes government regulation of F&B industries to offer accurate, easily understandable, and transparent information that empowers individuals to make healthier alternatives.
Food and Beverage Industries 1) Protect the industry’s reputation and brands through corporate washing 2) Influence regulations, policies, and processes through multilateral bodies at global, regional and local levels to delay policy implementation 3) Defend freedom of choice while blaming consumers for the consequences of their health-related decisions etc.
Front of Pack Labelling (FoPL) regulations are one of the public health measures implemented by governments to promote healthier food environments. FoPL help consumers identify foods high in fat, sugar and salt, in other words UPPS.
An example of FoPL
Yet, the F&B Industry are fighting back such measures.
Shifted its focus from opposing food policies such as FoPL
TOWARDS
Weakening policies
Industry
They will do whatever it takes to protect their business interests , and this includes delaying and dismissing public health measures.
part-2 soon “Ta ذغ iya” by Sarah Zahr
& remember
Everything you see
What they do
[insert positive key messages]
Delving into examples of the Industry’s dirty tactics!
Sources
- Gitz, E., Orlan, E., Rincon Gallardo Patiño, S., & Schoj, V. (2024). Nutrient Pro: A valuable tool for developing healthy food policies. Global Health Advocacy Incubator.
- Global Health Advocacy Incubator. (2021, November 17). Behind the Labels: Big Food's War on Healthy Food Policies. Advocacy Incubator. labels-big-foods-war-on-healthy-food-policies Global Health Advocacy Incubator Global Health Advocacy Incubator
