Industry calls for health and nutrition improvements

The organisation pledged to help cut the overall calorie intake of European consumers by 10% by 2020.

FoodDrinkEurope president Gilles Morel (pictured) said a wide range of groups could play a role in curbing Europe’s obesity problem.

“Only by working hand-in-hand to improve diets can we make a difference and accelerate progress,” ​he said.

“This is why we call directly upon public authorities, retail, catering, farmers, restaurants, consumers, dieticians, healthcare professionals and non-governmental organisations to join forces by sharing a common EU ambition to improve the diets of citizens all over Europe.”​

New opportunities for business​

Changing consumers’ eating habits could also create new opportunities for business, claimed Morel.

President of the European Medical Association Dr Vincenzo Costigliola welcomed the initiative.

“What we eat and drink makes a vital contribution to our health and our wellbeing,” ​said Costigliola. “Food producers, healthcare professionals and others must cooperate to make sure that patients and consumers benefit from a balanced diet. ​

‘Vital contribution to our health’​

“Training, education and information about nutrition and health are essential to help patients eat properly according to their individual needs.”​

Last year saw FoodDrinkEurope support the introduction of new mandatory nutrition labelling rules for prepacked foods.

The regulation – which saw information on energy content and key nutrients printed on food and drink packaging – would help shopper make healthier choices, claimed the organisation.

Meanwhile, the EU is to provide scientific advice on the daily intake of added sugar in food by 2020.​ The advice will aim to establish a science-­based cut­-off value for daily exposure to added sugars from all sources.