Brussels, 22 january 2004
Open Letter to Members of the European Parliament on the Proposal for a Regulation on nutrition and health claims
CLAIMS AND PUBLIC HEALTH - THE REASON WHY ARTICLE 4 SHOULD BE KEPT IN THE CURRENT PROPOSAL
Next week, the Environment, Public Health and Consumer Policy Committee will for the first time discuss Mr Nobilia's draft report on the Commission proposal on nutrition and health claims. The deadline for tabling amendments is just 4 days later.
So far, the discussion on the proposal has largely focused on Article 4. In simple terms, this Article proposes that a food product cannot bear a claim unless it truly contributes towards a healthy diet. Currently, consumers are faced with an unregulated market of claims where a food is presented as "better" or healthier" on the basis of one single ingredient although the overall composition of this food cannot allow it to be considered as a truly healthier product given its relatively high content of fat and saturated fat, added sugar and salt (sodium).
As recently expressed at a Public Hearing on 8 January 2004, an alliance of consumer and public health NGOS (EHN, EUROCOOP, EPHA and EUROCARE) call on the European Parliament to show leadership in ensuring that the fundamental principle in EU policy on nutrition and health claims is the protection and promotion of public health.
Data show that people consume too much fat, saturated fat, added sugar and salt. Increasing levels of obesity and diabetes, and high rates of heart disease and cancer are consequences of our current dietary lifestyle. From a public health perspective, consumption of fat, saturated fat, sugar and salt should therefore be considerably reduced in people's overall diet. We strongly believe that this piece of legislation can play an essential role towards achieving this goal but only if claims are used in a sensible way to promote food products that allow people to make healthy diet choices.
TRUE CLAIM - WRONG MESSAGE
The purpose of Article 4 is not to forbid certain foods or to limit people's choice of what to eat. Rather, it aims at further guaranteeing public health and consumer protection by ensuring that claims can only be put on food which can be considered to be truly healthier. The first three attached examples show very clearly that many claims that are currently on the market are technically correct in the sense that the products do contain ingredients such as vitamins and mineral. However, these are present in very small quantities in contrast to the undesirable salt, sugar of fat content. Such claims provide the wrong overall message by portraying sugary, fatty or salty food as somehow a "healthy" choice. The last example shows how misleading an health message can be when related to an alcoholic drink.
Article 4 would limit the risk of misunderstanding claims. It is, therefore, of the utmost importance that Article 4 be retained in the current proposal for a Regulation on nutrition and health claims. Unless claims relate to important health issues such as cardiovascular diseases, cancer and diabetes, an opportunity to use claims for the benefit of public health and consumer protection will be lost.
It is our firm conviction that nutrition and health claims should only be put on food products which constitute a healthier choice and which contribute to a healthier diet. We therefore call on MEPs to keep Article 4 in the current proposal on claims.
WHAT YOU SEE IS WHAT YOU GET?
THE CLAIM & THE MESSAGE
The claim "rich in Calcium, Magnesium and Vitamins" makes people think this is a product which contributes to their health. However, the fat content is very high: 34.5g/100g.
The sugar content of this product is likely to be very high as well. However, it is not possible to tell this from the nutrition labeling, as the sugar content is not even mentioned.
THE HEALTH EFFECT
The negative impact of the high consumption of fat and sugar (leading to obesity for example) by far exceeds the benefits of consuming calcium, magnesium and vitamins via this product.
Note: According to the UK Food Standards Agency, a product containing 20 grams of fat per 100 grams is considered high in fat.
TRULY HEALTHY FOR OUR CHILDREN?
THE CLAIM & THE MESSAGE
This product claims to be healthy for children. However, it contains 25.6 grams of sugar per 100grams. Although it claims to be rich in milk, milk is only 7.5% of the product.
THE HEALTH EFFECT
This product provides children mainly with a lot of sugar, and not with vitamins and milk.
Note: According to the UK Food Standards Agency, a product containing 10 grams of sugar per 100 grams is considered as high in sugar.
GOOD FOR YOUR HEART?
THE CLAIM & THE MESSAGE
This product claims to be good for stomach and heart because it contains a lot of fibre. However, it also contains a high salt level: 0.6 grams of sodium per 100 grams.
THE HEALTH EFFECT
Consumption of high quantities of salt increases the risk of cardiovascular disease.
Note: According to the UK Food Standards Agency, a product containing 0.5 grams of sodium per 100 grams is considered high in salt. Sodium and natrium are the same.
WINE MAKES YOU FEEL STRONGER ?
THE CLAIM & THE MESSAGE
The wine is fortified with iron and ginseng which gives the impression that it is less harmful or even protects health.
THE HEALTH EFFECT
Such a message will encourage people to drink more wine, and thus more alcohol. For all types of alcohol-related harm, including cancers, cardiovascular diseases and cirrhosis of the liver, the more an individual drinks, the greater the risk of harm.
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