Bord Bia faces up to obesity
It explained at a health and well-being seminar in Cork that opportunities exist for the food industry to contribute to the debate on obesity and other health issues by driving changes in product innovation, designs, marketing and promotion.
Tara McCarthy, senior manager of Bord Bia’s Consumer Food and Ingredients Division, said that with exports valued at €1.7bn, the Irish ingredients sector is of considerable importance to the national economy, as well as being a key supplier to the international food and drink manufacturing industry. “In Britain, our largest export market, obesity has trebled in the last 20 years with almost three in five adults and one in five children overweight or clinically obese.”
The commercial and legislative reality in Europe is in a state of flux and as a result the window of opportunity for the food industry to take voluntary action in improving health is closing.
“It is clear that action is required. This action should include improvements in the nutrient profiling of existing products, new product innovation and changes in marketing practices.”
Two main themes were discussed at the seminar: market information on dietary options, obesity, vitamins and minerals, and the regulatory impact of these on food and drink companies looking to develop business opportunities.
