Addressing the challenge of NCDs
“In support of reducing NCDs, serveral manufactureres within the CARICOM market have undertaken efforts to not only reformulate, but to create healthier product offerings.”
Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) constitute an urgent development, health and productivity challenge to Caribbean people and Caribbean economies. The regional private sector supports a comprehensive approach to addressing NCDs, consistent with the United Nations General Assembly Resolution on NCDs. This approach includes the introduction of an appropriate policy response, including an appropriate Front of Package Nutrition Labelling (FoPNL) Scheme suited to the peculiarities of CARICOM States as Net-Food Importing Developing Countries (NFIDCs) with a commitment to deepening intra-regional trade of agri-food products, including processed products.
The regional private sector supports the adoption of an FoPNL regime for CARICOM. However, the introduction of measures, and critical policy shifts for the Community, such as FoPNL, should be evidence-based and rooted in a model which provides ‘best fit’ for the realities faced by CARICOM Countries.
The empirical findings of the CARICOM Impact Assessment Study: “Determination of An Appropriate FoPNL Scheme and the Identification of a Harmonized Approach for Implementation” demonstrate that the US Facts Up Front and the UK Traffic Light FoPNL models, which are already included on the packaging of several products within the Region, are best suited for achieving the regional population’s health objectives, compared to the proposed Octagon Warning Label (OWL) currently present in the Draft CARICOM Regional Standard (DCRS 5)
The evidence-based work conducted in CARICOM Markets, indicates that regional consumers are more effectively influenced by the FoPNL schemes of our major trading partners, US Facts Upfront and the UK Traffic Light. As NFIDCs with a several manufacturers exporting to the US and UK markets, these FoPNL schemes are not only more effective in influencing our consumers, they are also least disruptive to critical trade and manufacturing that support food security in the Region.
It is also important to note that the regional private sector is already engaged in a substantial number of initiatives to support the reduction of the level of NCDs within the Region. In support of reducing NCDs several manufacturers within the CARICOM market have undertaken efforts to not only reformulate, but to create healthier product offerings. Promoting a healthy lifestyle is not only about food consumption but also implementing/utilizing approaches/ policies on multiple levels, such as encouragement to exercise and reduction of illiteracy (in order to equip consumers to make informed healthy lifestyle choices for themselves).
Emerging from the work on FoPNL, the regional private sector has adopted a coordinated approach aimed at intensifying the focus on addressing and eliminating NCDs through deliberate actions involving the business community, including the Food and Beverage Sector. Accordingly, the CPSO will establish a Working Group to address NCDs, with a focus on a comprehensive package of measures that address diets, education and awareness, exercise, and prudent public policy. This Working Group will facilitate a more ‘joined up’ response by the regional private sector to the challenges faced by NCDs.
The Working Group will also contribute to the advancement of the ‘Calorie Initiatives’ being conceptualised and actioned by the private sector.
Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) constitute an urgent development, health and productivity challenge to Caribbean people and Caribbean economies. The regional private sector supports a comprehensive approach to addressing NCDs, consistent with the United Nations General Assembly Resolution on NCDs. This approach includes the introduction of an appropriate policy response, including an appropriate Front of Package Nutrition Labelling (FoPNL) Scheme suited to the peculiarities of CARICOM States as Net-Food Importing Developing Countries (NFIDCs) with a commitment to deepening intra-regional trade of agri-food products, including processed products.
The regional private sector supports the adoption of an FoPNL regime for CARICOM. However, the introduction of measures, and critical policy shifts for the Community, such as FoPNL, should be evidence-based and rooted in a model which provides ‘best fit’ for the realities faced by CARICOM Countries.
The empirical findings of the CARICOM Impact Assessment Study: “Determination of An Appropriate FoPNL Scheme and the Identification of a Harmonized Approach for Implementation” demonstrate that the US Facts Up Front and the UK Traffic Light FoPNL models, which are already included on the packaging of several products within the Region, are best suited for achieving the regional population’s health objectives, compared to the proposed Octagon Warning Label (OWL) currently present in the Draft CARICOM Regional Standard (DCRS 5)
The evidence-based work conducted in CARICOM Markets, indicates that regional consumers are more effectively influenced by the FoPNL schemes of our major trading partners, US Facts Upfront and the UK Traffic Light. As NFIDCs with a several manufacturers exporting to the US and UK markets, these FoPNL schemes are not only more effective in influencing our consumers, they are also least disruptive to critical trade and manufacturing that support food security in the Region.
It is also important to note that the regional private sector is already engaged in a substantial number of initiatives to support the reduction of the level of NCDs within the Region. In support of reducing NCDs several manufacturers within the CARICOM market have undertaken efforts to not only reformulate, but to create healthier product offerings. Promoting a healthy lifestyle is not only about food consumption but also implementing/utilizing approaches/ policies on multiple levels, such as encouragement to exercise and reduction of illiteracy (in order to equip consumers to make informed healthy lifestyle choices for themselves).
Emerging from the work on FoPNL, the regional private sector has adopted a coordinated approach aimed at intensifying the focus on addressing and eliminating NCDs through deliberate actions involving the business community, including the Food and Beverage Sector. Accordingly, the CPSO will establish a Working Group to address NCDs, with a focus on a comprehensive package of measures that address diets, education and awareness, exercise, and prudent public policy. This Working Group will facilitate a more ‘joined up’ response by the regional private sector to the challenges faced by NCDs.
The Working Group will also contribute to the advancement of the ‘Calorie Initiatives’ being conceptualised and actioned by the private sector.