Conference about salt, fat and other additive to food. Regulation and processes.

1. European nutrition and lifestyle conference, Brussels 2013
Session 1: European and global strategies on healthy diets and active lifestyles.
Moderator Ms Kate Trollope, EU food policy.
The view of World Health Organisation. Mr Roberto Bertollini, scientist.
The view of European commission. Mr Philippe Roux.
The mexican strategy of combating obesity. Ms Marcella Celorio, EU mission in Mexico.
Mr Bertollini.
Nutrition in the cause of a lot of diseases. In Europe studies shows that a majority of countries
show prevalence of overweight. Childhood obesity prevalence is over 20% in most european
countries. An initiative of WHO was starting in 2008 to make a survey for weight of children
between 6 and 9 years old. Obesity is expected to increase if no action is taken for information
and healthier nutrition. From 1 to 5% obesity cases can be avoided with appropriate plans. Salt
intake is more than 6 grams a days, up to 15 grams in Hungary, Tcheque Republic and Bulgaria.
Physical inactivity is raising at 63% for adults and about 23% for 11 years old children in Europe.
There is a mandate to counter obesity fact in Europe. Actually four countries have banned "trans"
fat. WHO have asked countries to create Nutrition Action Plans and the second call is showing a
raising support on these policies. Nutrition Policies are still unclear about target groups. Measure
to affect food price, labelling and reformulation of salt / sugar are the most advanced actions.
Internet starts to have significant role for information spreading about nutrition, while TV is still
the major media. A database based on WHO - EU partnership is available.
Particular needs:
- Need for better data about population and inequalities.
- Better evaluation.
- Enhance the collaboration for reformulation.
- More exchanges leads to better results.
A comprehensive Global Montoring Framework has been deisgned to improve health in the world.
A Ministerial conference will adress the issue of bad nutrition, from birth to obesity paterns.
Conference about Nutrition and deseases, 5th of July in Vienna, WHO.
Ms Marcella Celorio.
Mexico a the second largest country where to fight obesity. Lifestyle have changed in Mexico,
and phycal activity was more present 40 years ago. In large cities children are used to have soft
drinks instead of water. There was a shortage of milk years ago and soft drinks came to replace
it. Actually kids are consumming video games, chips and also insecurity have an impact on
physical activity. 30% less fruits are eaten actually. Mexican strategy started by survey to identify
malnutrition called 'progresa' and now 'oportunidades'. Eleven years later, in 1999, the next
survey showed obesity amongst adult women. Obesity increases and it is not linked to age,
status, gender. It is becoming an issue at national level. From 2012 to 2017 the survey will be
about physical activity and nutrition habits. In the National agenda, fighting obesity is a main

2. goal. Reforms have been made to create a legal framework about food. The objective is to
stabilise and reverse obesity situation. In 2009 and 2010 Mexico took action about nutrition and
deseases. In schools the nutrition have to be healthy for students. In april an instruction from
Mexican Pdt to Health Ministery was to control obesity and diabetis. Health promotion and
communication about eating habits is a challenge for collective eating habits. Walking in Mexico
is impossible because of too many cars. For public transportation it makes people angry because
it is not efficient and lead to hunger from the stairs climbing. Unformal sector activity in food is
proposing any kind of heavy food in streets. Education and training are pilar for coordination as
well as implementation of better use of food in health structures. The public policy is following a
guideline for labeling, lower fat / sugar and lighter food. WHO recommandations are part of the
program.
Mr Philippe Roux.
The annual event about Nutrition and Lifestyle is important for DG Health and consummers.
There is a doubt if the situation is very worrying or just that we could not evaluate it before.
Members states agreed in Istanbul (2007?) to reduced overweight by 2015. External evaluation
of EU action is better to value the action. The strategy has been developed and leads to
commitments to reach specific targets. There is an improvement in reformulation of food. It must
be continued to put together stakeholders and covering a large range of activity. It has been
enhanced by the actors involved. Also advertising is an other initiative. The lack of physical
activity is real amongst european citizens. The strategy have been evaluated and proved has
successful. More must be done to encourage physical activity. There is a need of encouraging
people without stigma. People would not appreciate if targets groups like 'poors' were set
because it would stigmatize school and areas. There is a need to find the right way for the
future. A report for future action will be available soon on the internet. Pre screening is a solution
to create efficiency and credibility.
Discussion:
The issue of reformulation of content lie salt, sugar and trans fat could lead to competition for
innovation. A challenge as opportunity. There is some resistence from Industry to spread
healthier food amongst children. It is possible that regulations will be necessary. Balance
between regulation, self regulation and better behavior is possible. There is a tremendous
challenge on Nutrition side.
Food Industry has a goal to make more business, not to create different habits about nutrition.
Member states spend 3% for action in term of nutrition.
Prevention toward Nutrition works in term of healthcare cost reduction. Economic results come in
middle term of time.
Session 2: Next steps in Europe for promotion of healthy diets and lifestyle.
Moderator Ms Kate trollope, EU food policy.
Mr John F Ryan, EU commission.
Ms Monique Goyens, BEUC.
Mr Jacob Schouenborg, International sport and culture association.

3. Mr Wouter Vermeulan, Coca-Cola Europe.
Ms Chiara Tomalino, Euro Coop.
High level panel discussion:
Mr John F Ryan.
The lines of strategies 2007 are confirmed for adressing the problem of Nutrition. In the external
evaluation the importance of strenghtning healthy diets communication. Better identification of
inputs and outputs for implementation of programs. The epidemical factor of obesity encourage
the European Commission to roll over the strategy and identify new goals. Nutrition have been
one of the drivers to increase the sustainability of the international system. Chronical deseases
influence the health all life long and must be mentionned in policies. A long term approach much
take place to achieve nutrition goals. Making healthy choice available is very important aspect.
Nutrition deseases are not so easy to cure like it with vaccination. Spreading information for good
habits will probably not be done by Industry but NGOs would take in charge.
Ms Monique Goyens.
Consumer's expectations should be fullfilled by results of policies. There has been regulations
since 2006. Results are coming late and slow. Regulation is not efficient is there is no nutriant
profiles. How to make an healthy choice while Industry is trying to block the commission by legal
action?
Semanticly it would be better to use economic inputs and ouputs to measure results of actions.
The European commission is expected to deliver what mentionned by Law. There is a need of a
strong regulation.
Mr Wouter Vermeulan.
Coca-Cola is working on reformulation and 40% of products in UK are diets. Also bewerage are
made by light formulation. Leading retaillers and providers are enforcing the promotion of
labelling calory content for drinks. Environmental points are also taking in account in the
processes. Working has partners with Eu commission can lead to confidence and results on the
field. Child obesity can be implemented and studied. Results of the report and monitoring show it
is not as fast as it could be but progressing.
Mr Jacob Schouenborg.
Thirty minutes of activity can solve overweight problem. Three limits are needed: activity,
lifestyle and collaboration. An ambitious vision must be delivered. Physical activity is still no
enough in european countries. Only northern members show highter activity. 3% of people only
goes to prevention nutritionist.
Ms Chiara Tomalino.
A priority would be making the healthy food unexpensive and available. Snacks and ready meals
for children will be reformulated but it is not done by all food providers. 28 member states are
concerned by the problem. Local communities can also promote physical activity and healthy
lifestyle.

4. Session 3 Beyond labelling, Empowering and informing consumers to make better
choices. Moderator Ms Fanny Van Der Loo, Grayling.
Mr Christophe Didion, EU commission.
Ms Renate Sommer MEP, European Parliament.
Mr Léon Jansen, Choices foundation.
Ms Barbara Gallani, Food and Drink Federation.
Mr Bruce Neal, Public Health in Australia.
Mr Christophe Didion.
Nutrition labelling will be implemented up to 2016 while Industry will communicate on energy as
well as content. Initiatives will help the consummers to make choices for healthier lifestyle. The
regulations requiere a report to be produced about Nutrition declaration.
Ms Renate Sommer.
The principles are that labelling must be easy to understand. Negociations are facing the problem
that 'consummer' are differents and it is difficult to create global rules. 73% of consummers don't
understand the traffic light sticker wich is supposed to identify healthy product on package. As a
result, the traffic light is refraining sales of healthy product.
Mr Léon Jansen.
Purchasing management in the brain:
- Quality.
- Time to spend.
- Healthy.
- Efforts to make.
Labelling: requirement for more informations, guidance and more technical aspect of contents.
There are three levels of labelling: % of contents, trafic lights and simple logos. Choices
foundation impact on product reformulation: Processed meats, Dairy products and Sandwiches
get significant changes in composition.
Ms Barbara Gallani.
The Federation is dealing with Foods and Drinks, an the Article 9 (1) about additional details
requiere 12 informations.
The UK legislation is asking for voluntary information labelling for contents. The consultation
process is on going. The data displayed on meat is up to percentage of content.
Mr Bruce Neal.
Australian application enables any consummer to scan bar codes and getting percentage of
contents for any product. The concept is one click for healthier food choice. 350.000 downloads
of the application. The innovation is Disruptive, Crowd-sourcing and helping research.

5. Participation of consummers is a success and the database growing for products and pictures
recollection. The goal is to put pressure on Industry to help transparency on food products.
Discussion:
The regulation needs the Commission to implement portion size recommandations. Work on
portion size can be done by Industry itself but the Commission does not trust this possibility.
Exemples can be showed of products designed for one person but with a content coresponding
to eight portions size. The fact that consummers are living in urban areas leads to a lack of
knowledge about food.
Session 4 Communicating to children on healthy diets and active lifestyles.
Moderator Ms Victoria Breck, Grayling.
Ms Joanna Wrona, EU commission.
Ms Andrea Vania, European childhood Obesity Group.
Mr Arnhid Haga Rimestad, Norwegian Directorate of Health.
Mr Dominic Lyle, European association of communications agencies.
Mr Rocco Renaldi, Landmark Europe.
Ms Joanna Wrona.
AVMS article 9.2 directive is about more flexible rules on advertising on TV. Also code of conduct
exist about advertising of unhealthy foods to children. Questions to be adressed are about the
right approach of self-regulation, and what about new media.
Ms Arnhild Haga Rimestad.
Marketing of foods, dietary habits and health. Obesity is created by advertising and social
promotion of unhealthy foods. WHO published documents about marketing foods for children
since 2004. WHO Europe helped the network about marketing pressure on children to be set up.
Norway have much emphasis on WHO recommendations and public consultation is organised
abut regulation proposal. It is also linked to the test of volontary industry code for a two year
period. The next steps will depend on result of self-regulation results. The activity is rising about
marketing to sell foods to children, it is then important to study the fact. Monitoring about these
advertisements is crucial.
Mr Rocco Rinaldi.
To change food advertising and stop this pressure on children under twelve. Also no
communication in schools. Third party monitoring about children advertising. BDRC audit in three
countries. 20 foods companies have agreed not to to advertise to target children below the age
of twelve. After monitoring companies, each one receive a reporter with weak points to be
improved. If an advertising campaign is causing a problem, the company is informed and the add
might be changed immediatly or the next campaign.

6. Mr Andrea Vania.
Communicating to children on healthy diets and active lifestyles. Alarming data where collected
all around Europe and several documents where created by WHO and Europe commission. How
to controls user's real age on Media, smartphones, websites and viral messages? An other aspect
of new tools is the possibility of reaching more people with less budget. The EU Pledge is
defending. Institutions, Companies, journalists, scientifics societies and NGOs are part of the
game for the right communication.
Mr Dominic Lyle.
Communication present an interest of companies for selling their products. But social media is
not a relevant place for efficient advertising. (This is not opinion of everybody)
Session 5 Implementation of the nutrition and health claims regulation - Improving
the process. Moderator Ms Ursula Partner, Mc Kenna & Aldridge.
(Nutrition claim and heath claim means the product is supposed to have benefict effect for
nutrition and health of consummer.)
Panel discussion:
Mr Henk Aalten, DSM.
Ms Amire Mahmood, Federal Ministery of health in Austria.
Ms Inge Stoelhorst, Ministery of health in Nederlands.
Mr Andy Taylor, Committee of Advertising practice.
Mr Patrick Coppens, EAS.
Ms Amire Mahmood.
Health plan participant for european plan. 220 claims about food. Article 31: Claims. Food
business operators are trying to conform with Europe. Composition of food have reformulation on
going. Some ingredient might be replace or quantity changed. Member state have elaborated a
document about flexibility on wording. Two options: taking the traditionnal use or nutriment
profile. About botanical, there should not be different treatment between vitamins, supplements
and botanicals. Justification for different evaluations is critical.
Ms Inge Stoelhorst.
80% of claims on food were rejected. The claim have to be prooven very well. The claim have to
be legal. Nutriant profiles also on discussion. A list of claims are still on waiting list. Enforcement
authority is focusing on rejected claims. Some obvious mistakes on claims because linked to
medical. When a certain claim is not allowed anymore, the companies are adding components
like vitamins that were already included. Self monitoring boddy and other topics around
regulation.

7. Mr Andy Taylor.
Involved into regulation of advertising. A significant number of small businesses interested in
understanding claim on products. It is a complex process. They are making significant efforts to
comply with the regulations. A guideline was published about ...
Mr Patrick Coppens.
Development of claims are growing including in other countries than member states. It is
important to make good claims with proofs. The claim legislation is applicable for food
supplements. Implementation of legislation created interpretation of it. The process can be
cahotic because there was no system before implementation of legislation. It was difficult to
know what data to collect and the first studies whee irrelevant. Scientific criterias defined by the
european commission was a point of view with highly scientific concern. But other region have
different attitude. There is a distorsion of picture with products with supposed medical effects
without proofs and botanical wich could get agreements even without scientific proofs. It could
be a specific framework for traditional use of botanical. Member states are not all communicating
their opinion about the subjects. If there is no claims about botanical it is an opening for a huge
market, also for teas. Options are possibles and members states have not decided about a final
option.
Mr Henk Aalten.
Company providing supplements and ingredients in B to B model. Children are part of the general
public and talks are on going. To get agreement for supplements the companies must show
scientific details.
Question about fraud on food from companies advertising on internet or elsewhere. There is a
grey area between food and regulation on "side" food. A different system in Nederland is to
study products in health laboratory and if it is not compliant there could be fines to companies. Is
there really a need to get claims for any components or think people buy because they want it?
Small businesses are not all aware about legislation because it is quiet complicate. Small and
medium size companies does not have advices. Because companies want to continue to sell what
they have produced they will keep the same labelling as the cost for changing stickers is high for
small businesses. The argument is not accepted by the legislator since communication on Law is
made for several years.
Having a claim approved in Europe does not mean it is a future success elsewhere in the world.
Session 6 - Food innovation: finding a clear way forward.
Moderator Ms Ursula Schliesserner, Mc Kenna Long & Aldridge.
Panel discussion:
Mr Patrick Kolar, DG RTD, european commission.
Mr Sebastien Emig, European snack association.
Mr David Carlander, Nanotechnology Industries.
Mr Jochen Weiss, FoodBest consortium.

8. Mr Patrick Kolar.
Horizon 2020 and new way forward. Societal challenges, food innovation, nanotechnologies.
Consumer information for choices, sustainable and competitive agri-food industry, healthy, safe
and diets for all. FP7 EU program.
Mr Sebastien Emig.
It is the entire snacks market, ESA has 200 members and covers 80% of the business. 15
different trends grouped in axes for consumers expectations: pleasure, health, physical,
convenience and ethics. Four drivers for reformulation of products. Fat, satured fat and sodium
have slightly reduced in foods. Consumers expectation, technological feasibility and food safety
are the main goals. Also it must be taken in account that the percentage of salt is sometimes
linked to the recipe because changing salt presence make the snack to fail at cooking.
Dr David Carlander.
Nanotechnologies and Nanomaterials in foods are employed by NIA members. It is the process to
create new flavours or textures, healthier food with low salt, fat and sugar content. It enables
industry to improve presence of vitamin and nutrent. Food information regulation (1169/2011).
Detection, monitoring, labelling and detection method are bieng optimised. Consumer acceptance
of nanomaterials in foods must be under review. Nanoparticules are considered acording to the
size, then it can be present, not only for purpose but by effect of the process.
Discussion:
Even if consumers say they want healthy choice they usually buy for taste. Is there a need for
education about healthy snacks? What about schools and public communication. The attitude of
consumer is guided with information and they buy according to formulation written on packages.
A huge amount of money is involved by EU commission about food, Health and Well-being. The
strategy was published for collaboration. The results from research will be used to improve
regulation. Dialogue between consumers and EU commission is embeded in the program and
consumers associations. Annual report for proposals is published after yearly call. Food
supplements, fortification and vitamins are under review for new product agreements that will be
delivered faster. The coridors of healthy food and information to consumers are guiding the
business. Industry does not want to be monitored in all details but is advocating for self-
regulation within a framework for development of new products.
Question: what about child obesity? Yes it is included in industry plans. What about salt
percentage for consumers? How to educate for less salty Food? For exemple UK has taken action
to lower salt percentage. A comment about parents responsability to introduce products to their
children. Also coming back to cooking basic food is a solution for education and healthy lifestyle.
What about fear from consumers for nanotechnology use in food. It is not know yet when the
regulation will accept nanotehcnology for food.
Published by RDM-ROW http://slideshare.net/reporter Dominique Deschamps