UK Food Industry Claims Significant Progress in Voluntary Industry Action on Public Health

The progress the food industry has made in empowering consumers to make healthier choices has been revealed in a new report, Delivering Healthy Growth. The report, launched by the Food and Drink Federation (FDF), showcases a broad package of industry action; ranging from cutting edge processes that enable recipes to be changed to reduce salt, saturated fat and energy density, to workplace wellbeing schemes that work to improve the health of thousands of industry employees.

23 Jan 2013 --- New figures from FDF also show that over the last five years, as a result of such industry changes, there has been a 10% reduction in salt levels in FDF members' products compared with 2008.

Richard Evans, President of PepsiCo UK & Ireland and FDF Health and Wellbeing Chair, said: "UK food and drink manufacturers are acutely aware of their responsibilities – to their customers and employees, and to the environment around them. FDF's new report demonstrates manufacturers' on-going commitment to working both independently and in partnership with other stakeholders towards improved public health. We are seeing real, measurable results, such as a 10% reduction in the salt levels of products made by FDF's members when compared to 2008."

Speaking at the launch event, Health Minister Anna Soubry MP announced a further eight signatories to the Responsibility Deal's calorie reduction pledge to help consumers reduce their calorie intake.[5] These companies will join the existing 23 signatories, with manufacturers accounting for the largest group of industry participants.

Melanie Leech, Director General at FDF, said: “Today's announcement of a further wave of calorie reduction pledge signatories demonstrates the on-going voluntary commitment by the industry to improving public health. Our members were in the vanguard of calorie reduction signatories last year and I am delighted to see manufacturers again at the heart of today's announcement."

www.fdf.org.uk/corporate_pubs/DHG.pdf