EN Official Journal of the European Union CE 65/236

(2004/C 65 E/252)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2876/03

by Alexandros Alavanos (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

(29 September 2003)

Subject: Promotion of healthy eating habits at school

Reliable medical research shows a large increase in the number of those suffering from heart complaints and type Β diabetes in the EU Member States, largely due to bad diet and overweight.

Given that eating habits are acquired from an early age, being greatly influenced not only by the home but also the school environment and the type of food served by school canteens:

1. Has the EU examined the problem of eating habits acquired at school age; has the statement by the Winning Heart Conference of 14 February 2000 as part of the European Heart Health Initiative been noted?

2. Will the Commission take steps to draft framework legislation to ensure that school canteens provide food which does not damage the health of children or lead to over-consumption of saturated fats, salt, sugar, fizzy drinks, etc.?

3. Is European funding being provided for the promotion of healthy eating habits at school?

4. Does the Commission have information regarding the performance of each Member State in this area?

Answer given by Mr Byrne on behalf of the Commission

(16 October 2003)

The Commission is very much aware of the importance of nutrition as a determinant for positive health. This is reflected in the Public Health Action Programme (2003-2008), which foresees strategies and measures on nutrition as a life-style related health determinant. Moreover, the 2003 Work Plan for this programme foresees the development of innovative measures and approaches to improve dietary habits and physical activity habits in all population groups.

A particular concern in this area are the dietary habits of children. Concretely, the Community has been providing funding on a continuous basis for the European Network of Health Promoting Schools (ENHPS), a common initiative of the Council of Europe, the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the Commission. One of the objectives of this project is to promote healthy dietary habits in schools throughout Europe. More information on this project can be found at the following Internet: site: http://www.who.dk/eprise/main/WHO/Progs/ENHPS/Home

An important new project in this area, which the Commission is currently considering for funding, is the initiative on ‘Children, obesity and associated avoidable chronic diseases’, which is co-ordinated by the European Heart Network. This large-scale pan-European project will examine all ‘obesogenic’ factors in the environment of children, including the school environment.

Both these projects clearly address the Declaration of the Winning Hearts conference of 2000, which stated that every child born in the new millennium has the right to live until the age of at least 65 without suffering from avoidable cardiovascular disease (CVD). In this context, the Commission would also like to underline that the main priority of the incoming Irish Presidency in the Public Health area is CVD prevention.

As far as the composition of school meals is concerned, the Community has no mandate for adopting binding legislation in this area. However, the initiatives outlined above, and the dissemination of their results, will contribute to raise awareness on children's diets.