Healthy Caribbean Youth Front-of-package Warning Labels (FOPWL) Call to Action
Voting is currently underway across CARICOM Member States to adopt the Final Draft CARICOM Regional Standard for Specification for labelling of pre-packaged foods (FDCRS 5:2010), which includes specifications for octagonal high in warning labels that would be placed on the front of packaged products. The labels, if adopted, would help persons to quickly, easily and correctly identify foods high in sugars, sodium, or fats which, when consumed in excess can contribute to non-communicable diseases, overweight and obesity. These labels can ultimately help consumers make healthier choices.
As a part of advocacy, the Healthy Caribbean Coalition (HCC)’s youth arm – Healthy Caribbean Youth (HCY), with support from local civil society organisations and allies hosted a Call to Action on Saturday April 10th, 2021 and again on Saturday 24th April, 2021 across a number of CARICOM territories including: Antigua and Barbuda, The Bahamas, Barbados, Grenada, Jamaica and St. Lucia.
This silent presentation posed as a reminder to CARICOM leaders, that they have committed to fast-tracking policies to address obesity in children and more broadly, poor diets and NCDs. The HCY are heeding the call to “fight back against obesity and NCDs” by highlighting one policy which is part of a suite of policy solutions, identified by the World Health Organisation.
Children need nutritious foods in order to grow, learn and thrive. Adults need nutritious foods in order to remain productive and healthy members of society. If the Standard is approved and endorsed, the Caribbean will join a growing number of countries that use the octagonal warning label regulations to combat obesity and NCDs and ultimately protect the rights of their citizens to know what is in their food.
#nowmorethanever #betterlabels #betterchoices #betterhealth
Find out more about Front-of-Package Warning Labelling (FOPWL) here.
Find out more about the regional campaign “Now More than Ever: Better Labels, Better Choices, Better Health” here
Media Coverage:
- Antigua And Barbuda Observer Media
- ABS – Good Morning Antigua and Barbuda (3:40 – 4:50)
- Bahamas EyeWittnesNews
- Barbados Advocate
- Barbados Nation News