# CE2004088EN.01026001.xml

| 8.4.2004 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | CE 88/260 |
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8.4.2004

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

CE 88/260

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(2004/C 88 E/0265)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0978/04

by Christopher Huhne (ELDR) to the Commission

(30 March 2004)

Subject:   Ingredients in food products

Subject:

| 1. | In the light of the increasing concerns for public health – in terms of obesity, high blood pressure and diabetes, etc. – can the Commission outline any action that it has taken to help Member States tackle this problem? |
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1.

In the light of the increasing concerns for public health – in terms of obesity, high blood pressure and diabetes, etc. – can the Commission outline any action that it has taken to help Member States tackle this problem?

| 2. | Does the Commission plan any action as regards placing a maximum limit on sugar/salt content in food products and/or placing clear labelling on such products? |
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2.

Does the Commission plan any action as regards placing a maximum limit on sugar/salt content in food products and/or placing clear labelling on such products?

Answer given by Mr Byrne on behalf of the Commission

(30 April 2004)

(30 April 2004)

| 1. | The European Commission has prepared a document entitled ‘Status report on the European Commission's work in the field of nutrition. October 2002’, which has been sent to the Information offices of the Parliament, Commission offices in the Member States, Cabinets of the Commission, National Parliaments, some information networks and consumer associations and it is available on the Public Health web site.
  A network on Nutrition and Physical Activity composed of Member States, Acceding Countries and European Economic Area (EEA) expert institutes, the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) has been established by the Commission. The network is a forum for exchanging experience and establishing and disseminating best practice. In this way, it will contribute to a coordination of Member State policies. The network also advises the Commission on the creation of a Community strategy to improve public health nutrition, reduce and prevent diet-related diseases, promote physical activity and to fight obesity.
  The Commission is financing projects aimed at collecting data on obesity, nutrition and physical activity within the Public Health Action Programme (2003-2008) (1) and its 2003 and 2004 Work Plans. Moreover, a major project aimed at preventing obesity in children will be supported under the programme.
  The Council Conclusions on Healthy lifestyles from December 2003 underline the need for an integrated approach to fostering health, an approach which combines the promotion of healthy lifestyles with actions aimed at addressing social and economic inequalities and the physical environment, and with a commitment to pursue health objectives through other Community policies. This is very much in line with the approach taken by the Commission with the Public Health Action Programme, and will include action on promoting healthy nutrition and preventing obesity.
  A specific working group has been established to deal with ‘health information’ aspects of lifestyles. The purpose is to bring together the various projects dealing with lifestyle related indicators and data and to consider what additional elements need to be addressed.
  The Commission has actively supported the Irish Presidency's initiatives on cardiovascular diseases and obesity. This process is now leading to Council Conclusions on Promoting Heart Health. In the draft proposal, the Commission is invited to bring forward a Proposal for Council Recommendations on health determinants of major importance for the promotion of cardiovascular health; the prevention of obesity will be an essential element in any such measure. |
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1.

The European Commission has prepared a document entitled ‘Status report on the European Commission's work in the field of nutrition. October 2002’, which has been sent to the Information offices of the Parliament, Commission offices in the Member States, Cabinets of the Commission, National Parliaments, some information networks and consumer associations and it is available on the Public Health web site.

A network on Nutrition and Physical Activity composed of Member States, Acceding Countries and European Economic Area (EEA) expert institutes, the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) has been established by the Commission. The network is a forum for exchanging experience and establishing and disseminating best practice. In this way, it will contribute to a coordination of Member State policies. The network also advises the Commission on the creation of a Community strategy to improve public health nutrition, reduce and prevent diet-related diseases, promote physical activity and to fight obesity.

The Commission is financing projects aimed at collecting data on obesity, nutrition and physical activity within the Public Health Action Programme (2003-2008) (1) and its 2003 and 2004 Work Plans. Moreover, a major project aimed at preventing obesity in children will be supported under the programme.

1

The Council Conclusions on Healthy lifestyles from December 2003 underline the need for an integrated approach to fostering health, an approach which combines the promotion of healthy lifestyles with actions aimed at addressing social and economic inequalities and the physical environment, and with a commitment to pursue health objectives through other Community policies. This is very much in line with the approach taken by the Commission with the Public Health Action Programme, and will include action on promoting healthy nutrition and preventing obesity.

A specific working group has been established to deal with ‘health information’ aspects of lifestyles. The purpose is to bring together the various projects dealing with lifestyle related indicators and data and to consider what additional elements need to be addressed.

The Commission has actively supported the Irish Presidency's initiatives on cardiovascular diseases and obesity. This process is now leading to Council Conclusions on Promoting Heart Health. In the draft proposal, the Commission is invited to bring forward a Proposal for Council Recommendations on health determinants of major importance for the promotion of cardiovascular health; the prevention of obesity will be an essential element in any such measure.

| 2. | The Commission does not have any plans regarding setting maximum levels on sugar/salt content in food products. Regarding labelling, it is obligatory to list sugars and salt in the list of ingredients if they are used in the manufacture of a food product and in decreasing order of weight. In addition, the Commission has submitted for adoption to Parliament and Council a proposal for a Regulation (2) to harmonise the rules on nutrition and health claims in the labelling, presentation and advertising of foods. Specific conditions relating to nutrition claims regarding sugars and salt are proposed therein. |
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2.

The Commission does not have any plans regarding setting maximum levels on sugar/salt content in food products. Regarding labelling, it is obligatory to list sugars and salt in the list of ingredients if they are used in the manufacture of a food product and in decreasing order of weight. In addition, the Commission has submitted for adoption to Parliament and Council a proposal for a Regulation (2) to harmonise the rules on nutrition and health claims in the labelling, presentation and advertising of foods. Specific conditions relating to nutrition claims regarding sugars and salt are proposed therein.

2

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(1)  Decision No 1786/2002/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 23 September 2002 adopting a programme of Community action in the field of public health (2003-2008), OJ L 271, 9.10.2002, p. 1.

1

(2)  COM(2003) 424 final.

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