World Health assembly to discuss fat issues
Of the many issues that will be discussed at the 61st World Health Assembly in Geneva this month, prevention and control of non-communicable diseases is what the food industry will be following closely. Its future, and growth plan, will depend on the outcome of the deliberations in Geneva. The World Health Organization, which organizes the assembly every year, will steer discussions towards a definitive action plan on the implementation of the global strategy on diet, physical activity and health endorsed in 2004 (see Fat Chance, Down To Earth, May, 15, 2004).
Till date, the industry has not been under any compulsion to adhere to the standards set by who for fats and added sugar. These two ingredients have been identified as major contributors to the obesity epidemic worldwide and who suggests that fats and sugar should contribute less than 30 and 10 per cent of the total calorie intake in a day.
In preparation to the health assembly, who has been holding a series of meetings this year