(MENAFN- Khaleej Times) According to the World Health Organization over 60 per cent of deaths in the GCC are caused by non-communicable or so-called lifestyle diseases while obesity in the region is estimated to be in excess of 30 per cent.
Dubai: Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry hosted a meeting organised by its Food & Beverages Manufacturing Group to encourage industry self-regulation in marketing and advertising food and beverages considered high in fat sugar and salt or HFSS to children.
Members of the Food & Beverage Manufacturing Group heard a presentation from the International Food & Beverage Alliance or IFBA in the GCC about their pledge to not advertise HFSS products to children under 12. Dubai Chamber as the voice of the business community hosted the meeting to support to its members in the F&B sector and to help facilitate positive developments in the industry.
Obesity and Type II diabetes are on the rise in the GCC. According to the World Health Organization or WHO over 60 per cent of deaths in the GCC are caused by non-communicable or so-called lifestyle diseases while obesity in the region is estimated to be in excess of 30 per cent.
The IFBA started its activities in the GCC region in 2009 advancing the 2004 WHO Global Strategy on Diet Physical Activity and Health.
All companies who are members of IFBA in the GCC have signed a Responsible Marketing and Advertising pledge committing all signatories not to advertise products considered HFSS content to children under 12 and only to advertise items which meet a specific set of nutrition criteria to children over six.
The marketing and advertising campaigns of companies which have signed the pledge are all monitored by an independent external agency (Accenture) to ensure compliance with the pledge and last year achieved a 91.1 per cent compliance rate in the GCC region.
IFBA in the GCC members are committed to responsible marketing and took part in the meeting at Dubai Chamber head office as a means to proactively spread awareness among industry peers on the importance of self-regulation in this important area.
They encouraged local food and beverage manufacturers to sign up to the IFBA pledge and to contribute to tackling childhood obesity and to undertake activities that encourage the public to lead healthier lifestyles.
Mahdi Al Mazim director of Member Services at Dubai Chamber opened the meeting saying: “This is an important topic that hits home to all of us as members of the community parents and consumers. It is crucial that we hear from experts in the food and beverage industry to get the facts and help build a framework that supports both business and the health of society. Dubai Chamber is pleased to be supporting our members today and helping them address rising trends and issues in their industry.”
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