NUTRITION

Healthy eating. On October 5th, the G20 business summit, better known as B20, ended in Buenos Aires with the presentation of a document containing public policy recommendations. The affinity group chaired by the head of the Food Chamber known as COPAL, Daniel Funes de Rioja, worked in eight areas that include sustainable food systems, digital economy and education for work. At the same time, 13 argentine companies committed to self-regulate advertising for unhealthy foods aimed at children under 12 years of age. The self-regulatory agreement foresees an adjustment period of one year and will be monitored by an external audit system with a first report scheduled for December 2020.

In a context where 815 million people are chronically undernourished and 600 million are obese, the business sector argued that public policy planning to address undernutrition should include cooperation and dialogue between the public and private sectors. The B20 also urged the G20 leaders to strengthen multilateral regulatory frameworks for food and to consolidate the role of the Codex Alimentarius in defining principles to guide countries in the development of labelling systems. Along these lines, they understand that labelling should provide consumers with information on nutritional composition, avoiding negative characterizations, so as to encourage companies to improve the formulation of their products.

The affinity group also recommended raising awareness on the importance of a healthy and balanced lifestyle from pregnancy and early childhood. This would include the development of nutritional recommendations with the endorsement of competent public authorities and input from businesses, civil society organizations and other actors. Businessmen also advocated to ensure that the supply of beverages and food in school environments is representative of public guidelines for a healthy and balanced diet.

A few days later, 13 leading companies in the food industry in Argentina, nucleated in the COPAL, signed a self-regulation commitment on advertising aimed at children under 12. They will only promote foods and beverages “that comply with nutritional parameters based on dietary guidelines” or those that have less than 200 calories per portion. Some of these companies, which together account for 80% of the advertising market, had already launched their own self-regulation programs. The adaptation period will be of one year.

Next steps

The B20 recommendations will be considered at the G20 Leaders Summit to be held between November 30th and December 1st. The self-regulation agreement for advertising aimed at children signed by 13 Argentine food companies foresees an adjustment period of one year. It will be monitored by an external audit system with a first report scheduled for December 2020.