By Chris Jones - 9th November 2006
Markos Kyprianou has defended the European commission’s “name and praise” approach to food industry efforts to tackle obesity.
The European health commissioner faced questions over Brussels backing for initiatives from companies such as McDonald’s and Coca-Cola.
“I expected criticism,” the Cypriot said after a barrack of press questions about the appropriateness of the lawmakers sharing the stage with the companies they are supposed to be regulating.
“I have been criticised by the food industry in the past for not doing enough to support them, so I am happy to praise them when they are making real efforts to reduce obesity.”
Up to 27 per cent of men and 38 per cent of women in the EU are considered obese, while the number of overweight children is said to be growing by 400,000 a year and is more than 14 million.
Kyprianou said that over 500 initiatives had been put forward by the food industry in 2006 as part of an EU’s diet, physical activity and health drive, an initiative launched by the commission in 2005 to try to tackle the problem of expanding EU waistlines.
McDonald’s, for example, has introduced EU-wide nutrition labelling on its products, while drinks groups such as Coca-Cola and PepsiCo have pledged not to advertise to children under 12.
Kyprianou said that public-private partnerships between the food industry and the EU legislators – through closely monitored self-regulation – could achieve results far more quickly and efficiently than action by the commission alone.
“This is a new approach to a complex problem that cannot be solved through legislation,” Kyprianou said.
“The EU legislative process can takes years to complete, as we all know, and we need to act faster than that.”
“Everyone is part of the problem – food companies, parents, consumers, doctors, public authorities – but we can also be part of the solution if we work together.”
“We cannot legislate to ban products that are not illegal – and we have to be able to acknowledge the positive steps taken by the industry.”
“This doesn’t mean that we won’t hesitate to take action in the future if we think the system of self-regulation isn’t working.”
“It is entirely right for companies to want to make a profit – that is what their shareholders require. What we would like to see is companies linking their profits to greater social responsibility.”
Kyprianou stressed that the companies he had chosen to praise for their efforts could show clear proof that they had met their commitments to improve the health of their consumers.
“It is not just a question of companies committing to do something – it needs to be seen to be done as well,” he said.
The commission has insisted that any self-regulation includes independent monitoring and verification of the commitments made by the industry, and Kyprianou said that he was happy with the progress made so far.
“I hope that this name and praise event will encourage other companies to take similar action to tackle the obesity problem.”
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