CIAA, the Confederation of the food and drink industries of the EU, today welcomed the publication of the external Evaluation Report of the EU Platform for Action on Diet, Physical Activity and Health, which was commissioned by DG SANCO, and carried out by the Evaluation Partnership.

CIAA believes the report - which looks in detail at 2 case studies relating to food and drink product reformulation, and advertising and marketing to children - is well structured and balanced, offering sound conclusions.

As a founder member of the EU platform, and an active stakeholder over the last 5 years (representing 40% of the total commitments made by members), CIAA also believes the report provides a good overview of the activities of the Platform during this period.

Chair of CIAA’s Diet Task Force, Lyn Trytsman-Gray commented:

“The Evaluation Report is an important tool which can be used to raise the profile of the Platform, and to communicate the strength of its activities to the public. Going forward, we would like to see the Platform network bring on board stakeholders working in related policy fields such as education; and we would support efforts to broaden and strengthen the participation of Member States in the work of the Platform.”

Over the five-year period, CIAA and its members have made a wide range of commitments to support improved diet and healthier lifestyles, including the rollout of voluntary nutritional labelling across Europe. On a practical level, CIAA would also like to see guidance for members on the monitoring process before they submit new commitments, as a way of improving the overall effectiveness of the monitoring process.

CIAA warmly welcomes the multi-stakeholder approach of the EU Platform for Action on Diet, Physical Activity and Health, supports the further communication of its achievements, and remains committed to playing its part in tackling Europe’s long-term diet and public health challenges going forward.

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