Health Minister Announces Code Of Practice Development

The Health Minister Leo Varadkar has announced the development of a Code of Practice for food marketing, promotion and sponsorship.

In addition, Minister Varadkar has appointed Professor Alan Reilly to chair a working group who will develop the guidelines.

The group contains representatives from relevant health bodies and has five main objectives:

• To develop a Code of Practice for food advertising and marketing that applies to non-broadcast media, outdoor media, print media and cinemas.

• To develop a Code of Practice for sponsorship by the food industry.

• To develop a Code of Practice relating to food and beverage product placement in the retail sector.

• To consider options relating to the governance of a Code and to make recommendation.

• The working group shall report within one year.

Minister Varadkar said: "All the stakeholders in this group agree on the need to take a collective role in tackling obesity.  The food sector is hugely important to Ireland and the Irish economy.  The standard and quality of our food is world famous. At the same time, we are only going to reverse the trend in obesity by encouraging more healthy eating by adults and children.

"We know that food marketing can have an influence on what we choose to eat. That’s why I have asked Professor Alan Reilly to chair the expert group to develop a code of practice for the industry on food marketing, promotion, product placement and sponsorship. I think this group can develop a code which will encourage more people across the entire population to make healthy food choices."

(LM)