Brussels, 21 March 2007 - to mark this month's second anniversary of the EU Platform for Action on Diet, Physical Activity & Health, the European Food Information Council (EUFIC), has released a candid interview with the Platform's Chair, DG SANCO's Director General Robert Madelin in which he addresses many areas including: nutrition labelling, food advertising to children, meeting the European Parliament's expectations for controlling obesity in Europe, and monitoring commitments of players in the EU Platform.
The EU Platform for Action on Diet, Physical Activity & Health was launched in March 2005 as an informal experiment. Two years on, it is increasingly recognised as an important policy tool and acts as a stimulus for other activities in tackling the challenge of obesity.
Nutrition labelling of foods
In relation to nutrition labelling of foods, the EU Platform has been a key forum of genuine discussion and exchange on what civil society expects, and what food companies and retailers feel they can offer.
As a result of these discussions, and the activity by food companies and retailers with practical introduction of "front of pack" nutrition labelling, Mr. Madelin now finds that it is important to ensure that there is sufficient flexibility in the legislative proposal on nutrition labelling that is due to be released in 2007. He explains that the development of "front of pack" nutrition labelling is clearly good for consumers and recognises that a period of at least two years will be required to identify the system that works best.
Priorities for 2007: catalyst & endorser
This year, a major output for DG SANCO will be the formal proposal from the European Commission for a European Nutrition Strategy, in which it will be proposed that the EU Platform is recognised as an effective EU policy tool. If accepted this will result in a "watershed moment for the EU Platform" explains Mr. Madelin.
In addition to this, the Platform will continue its work on improving monitoring of Platform commitments and supporting activities; not just focusing on short-term feel-good activities but long-term projects that make a genuine contribution.
External perceptions do not match reality
In his interview with EUFIC, Robert Madelin explains that the biggest single challenge facing the EU Platform is how to make visible the excellent work being undertaken by many small organisations at grassroots level and translating that into a single compelling story at a European level.
Mr. Madelin recognises that it is difficult to prove that achievements have been accomplished as a direct result of the EU Platform’s existence but firmly believes that such a forum of political peer-pressure is leading to more activity.