On Wednesday 4 October, 2023 the HCC in partnership with PAHO, CARPHA, the OECS Commission, UNICEF and the Caribbean Public Health Law Forum, brought together key regional stakeholders providing an update on the status of front of package nutrition labels in CARICOM including: promoting the new campaign entitled Octagonal warning labels help consumers #ActOnFacts and presenting science-based evidence in support of the octagonal warning label (OWL) contained within the Final Draft of the CARICOM Regional Standard for the Labelling of Pre-packaged Foods (FDCRS 5).
Read the press release for the webinar here.
The webinar was attended by over 200 participants from across the region.
Webinar Goal and Objectives
The goal of the webinar was to provide an update on the status of the Final Draft of the CARICOM Regional Standard for the Labelling of Pre-packaged Foods (FDCRS 5) which contains the octagonal front of package warning label and share evidence in support of octagonal warning labels as a key measure to catalyse the reshaping of food environments in the Caribbean.
The objectives of the webinar were:
- To promote the campaign “Octagonal Warning Labels help consumers #ACTONFACTS ” in support of the Final Draft of the CARICOM Regional Standard for the Labelling of Pre-packaged Foods (FDCRS 5) which contains the OWL as defined by the PAHO nutrient profile model.
- To increase public awareness of the detrimental impact of ultra-processed products high in sugars, fats and sodium and the role of the ‘high-in’ octagonal front of package warning labels (OWL) in promoting healthier food choices.
- To provide policymakers and policy influencers with a comprehensive understanding of FOPWL, specifically OWL, and to present robust scientific evidence underpinning the use of OWL and the Pan American Health Organisation (PAHO) Nutrient Profile Model (NPM) to guide OWL thresholds.
- To provide science-based evidence to correct misinformation about OWL including the false narrative that OWL negatively impacts trade and the economy.
- To encourage both the public and policymakers support for OWL and the FDCRS-5.
Overall Moderator
Ms. Maisha Hutton
Executive Director
HCC
Partners
Sir Trevor Hassell
President
HCC
Dr. Anselm Hennis
Director, Department of NCDs
and Mental Health
PAHO
Dr. Lisa Indar
Director, Surveillance, Disease
Prevention and Control Division
CARPHA
Dr. Didacus Jules
Director General
OECS Commission
Mr. Pieter Bult
UNICEF
Representative to the
Eastern Caribbean Area
Panellists
Ms. Tamie Marie
Communication Consultant
HCC
Ms. Samantha Moitt
Chief Nutrition Officer,
Nutrition Unit
Ministry of Health,Wellness
and the Environment
Antigua and Barbuda
Mr. Luis Galicia
PAHO International Consultant
Sodium Reduction
Dr. Fabio da Silva Gomes
Advisor Nutrition and Physical
Activity
PAHO
Ms. Nicole Foster
Lecturer, Faculty of Law
and Head of Law
and Health Research Unit
Ms. Isabel Barbosa
Senior Associate
Adjunct Professor of Law
O’Neill Institute for National
and Global Health Law
Georgetown University
Law Center
Ms. Xarriah Nicholls
Youth Advocate
Person living with an NCD
Healthy Caribbean Youth