SOYUZNAPITKA Eurasia fully shares WHO’s position on the importance of combating obesity in the world and the need to use additional tools to reduce the number of noncommunicable diseases among adults and children in the world.
In connection with the publication of new data from the Lancet study, the beverage industry of the EAEU countries would like to note a number of important points that will allow combining the efforts of business, society and the state to develop a culture of rational consumption. As noted in the WHO statement, the key factors in the fight against obesity are: prevention and treatment of obesity both at an early age and in adulthood through a diet, physical activity and appropriate medical care, as well as improving the availability of healthy and nutritious foods. We share the opinion that obesity and other noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) depend on a variety of economic, cultural and social factors and only comprehensive work to improve living standards, access to medicine, promote sports culture and nutrition can bring positive results in the long term.
The Union of Producers of Juices, Water and Beverages of Eurasia notes that at the moment the world practice of using various restrictive measures or increasing the tax burden on soft drinks with sugar content has an ambiguous result. On the one hand, the mechanism for increasing the tax burden is insufficient to achieve tangible positive results in the fight against NCDs, on the other hand, this measure is associated with the risk of serious negative economic and social factors: the transition to substitute goods, reduction of tax deductions to the budget, reduction of investments in the development of the food industry and job cuts.
We believe that in addressing this issue, it is important to adhere to a balanced policy that will take into account the interests of society, the state and business. The beverage producers of the Eurasian countries are interested in cooperation and productive dialogue with consumers and authorities and are ready to further develop the practice of self-regulation and introduce new tools for the development of a culture of rational consumption. An illustrative example of this work is the adoption of Voluntary Commitment Codes, under which companies agree to increase the proportion of low-calorie beverages, reduce the volume of packaging and voluntarily limit marketing among children under 12 years of age.
In connection with the publication of new data from the Lancet study, the beverage industry of the EAEU countries would like to note a number of important points that will allow combining the efforts of business, society and the state to develop a culture of rational consumption. As noted in the WHO statement, the key factors in the fight against obesity are: prevention and treatment of obesity both at an early age and in adulthood through a diet, physical activity and appropriate medical care, as well as improving the availability of healthy and nutritious foods. We share the opinion that obesity and other noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) depend on a variety of economic, cultural and social factors and only comprehensive work to improve living standards, access to medicine, promote sports culture and nutrition can bring positive results in the long term.
The Union of Producers of Juices, Water and Beverages of Eurasia notes that at the moment the world practice of using various restrictive measures or increasing the tax burden on soft drinks with sugar content has an ambiguous result. On the one hand, the mechanism for increasing the tax burden is insufficient to achieve tangible positive results in the fight against NCDs, on the other hand, this measure is associated with the risk of serious negative economic and social factors: the transition to substitute goods, reduction of tax deductions to the budget, reduction of investments in the development of the food industry and job cuts.
We believe that in addressing this issue, it is important to adhere to a balanced policy that will take into account the interests of society, the state and business. The beverage producers of the Eurasian countries are interested in cooperation and productive dialogue with consumers and authorities and are ready to further develop the practice of self-regulation and introduce new tools for the development of a culture of rational consumption. An illustrative example of this work is the adoption of Voluntary Commitment Codes, under which companies agree to increase the proportion of low-calorie beverages, reduce the volume of packaging and voluntarily limit marketing among children under 12 years of age.