Food companies urged for stricter lifestyle prevention

The battle against overweight and obesity is progressing slowly. The Centraal Bureau Levensmiddelenhandel is calling on supermarkets and food companies to take lifestyle prevention more seriously.

More action needed

Mandatory Nutri-Score labeling and reducing VAT on fruits and vegetables are insufficient. Supermarkets and food companies need to take responsibility and help reduce overweight and obesity by enforcing measures to lower sugar content in unhealthy products.

Consumers notice how some food companies creatively circumvent the increased consumption tax on soft drinks. For instance, they add a "hint of dairy" to soft drinks so they fall under the dairy exemption category.

National prevention agreement goals unattainable

An RIVM evaluation shows that the percentage of Dutch people with overweight and obesity has increased over the past four years. Voluntary agreements with the food sector have not had the desired effect. The goals of the National Prevention Agreement are no longer achievable. A different approach, with the cooperation of supermarkets and food companies, is now necessary.

Healthy and affordable for everyone

The proposed measures are expected to yield positive results, such as an increase in the sale of fruits and vegetables. Supermarkets and manufacturers can do more by placing sugary products lower on the shelves and healthier options at eye level. They can make healthy products cheaper through tax policies and their own pricing strategies. Supermarkets can establish enforceable agreements with producers and consumer organizations. Promoting healthy eating helps consumers make better dietary choices.

Source: ING