1.B. Workshop: Front-of-pack nutrition labelling: recent progress and remaining challenges

Abstract Front-of-pack nutrition labelling (FOPNL) is increasingly viewed as a central policy instrument in the fight against unhealthy diets, obesity, and noncommunicable diseases (NCDs), both for its direct effects on consumer behavior and for its potential to guide other effective nutrition policies (e.g. marketing restrictions, excise taxes). Major FOPNL schemes include the traffic-light system pioneered in the United Kingdom, warning labels as first introduced in Chile, the Australian Health Star Rating, and the Nutri-Score scheme developed in France. Countries that have already introduced mandatory FOPNL schemes include Chile, Israel, Peru, and Sri Lanka. Meanwhile, strong opposition from the food and beverage industry has prevented significant progress on FOPNL in many other countries. National developments have motivated several international initiatives. In 2019, the Codex Alimentarius Committee on Food Labelling began to formally negotiate guidelines for the development of FOPNL. Meanwhile, France and Australia have begun to convene a UN-supported Global Action Network on Nutrition Labelling. Understanding these national and international developments has become essential for effective public health advocacy in the field of FOPNL. The presentations in this workshop will therefore review recent key developments and identify major challenges to introducing effective FOPNL. The workshop will feature four presentations followed by an open discussion and exchange. Alexandra Jones will analyze key components of 31 existing FOPNL regulations and outline relevant best practice guidance. Tim Dorlach will explain why FOP warning labels first emerged in Chile and have subsequently diffused throughout Latin America. Chantal Julia will review the development of the Nutri-Score scheme in France and its adoption in other European countries. Anne Marie Thow will discuss how trade agreements and international standards can influence and potentially limit FOPNL schemes. Key messages Front-of-pack nutrition labelling (FOPNL) is a central policy instrument in the fight against unhealthy diets, obesity, and noncommunicable diseases (NCDs). Understanding recent national and international FOPNL developments is essential for effective public health advocacy for FOPNL and related interventions.

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A recipe for public health advocacy? Understanding coalition-building for effective public health policy

European Journal of Public Health ◽

10.1093/eurpub/cku162.104 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 24 (suppl_2) ◽

Author(s):

H Weishaar

Keyword(s):

Public Health ◽

Health Policy ◽

Public Health Policy ◽

Coalition Building ◽

Health Advocacy ◽

Public Health Advocacy ◽

Effective Public Health

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An evaluation of the Victorian Salt Reduction Partnership’s advocacy strategy for policy change

Health Research Policy and Systems ◽

10.1186/s12961-021-00759-1 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 19 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Emalie Rosewarne ◽

Michael Moore ◽

Wai-Kwan Chislett ◽

Alexandra Jones ◽

Kathy Trieu ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Public Health ◽

Policy Change ◽

Action Plan ◽

Evaluation Framework ◽

Decision Makers ◽

Health Advocacy ◽

Salt Reduction ◽

Public Health Advocacy ◽

The Creation ◽

The Impact

Abstract Background Public health advocacy strategies facilitate policy change by bringing key health issues to the forefront of public and political discourse, influencing decision-makers and public opinion, and increasing policy demand. The Victorian Salt Reduction Partnership (VSRP) was established in 2014 in response to inadequate government action to improve population diets in Australia. This study aimed to evaluate the success of the VSRP’s advocacy strategy in achieving policy change. Methods Documentation of VSRP activities and outputs were collected, and semi-structured interviews conducted as part of a comprehensive process evaluation. For this study, the Kotter Plus 10-step public health advocacy evaluation framework was used to guide data extraction, analysis, and synthesis. Results A sense of urgency for salt reduction was generated by producing evidence and outlining the potential impact of a state-based salt reduction programme. This enabled the creation of a coalition with diverse skills and expertise, which facilitated the development of an innovative and collaborative advocacy action plan. A clear change vision was established, but communication of the vision to decision-makers was lacking, which reduced the impact of the programme as decision-makers were not provided with a clear incentive for policy change. As a result, while programme outputs were achieved, these did not translate to achieving broader strategic goals during a limited-term intervention in a political climate unconcerned with salt. Conclusions The Kotter Plus 10-step framework was a useful tool for evaluating the success of the VSRP advocacy strategy. The framework enabled the identification of key strengths, including the creation of the guiding coalition, and areas where efforts could be improved in future similar strategies, such as effective communication within partnerships and to decision-makers, to better influence policy and improve public health impact.

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Should industry care for children? Public health advocacy and law in Australia

Public Health ◽

10.1016/j.puhe.2008.12.008 ◽

2009 ◽

Vol 123 (3) ◽

pp. 283-286 ◽

Cited By ~ 8

Author(s):

F. Stanley ◽

M. Daube

Keyword(s):

Public Health ◽

Health Advocacy ◽

Public Health Advocacy

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An Evaluation of the Victorian Salt Reduction Partnership’s Advocacy and Policy Strengthening Strategy

10.21203/rs.3.rs-148658/v1 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Emalie Rosewarne ◽

Michael Moore ◽

Wai-Kwan Chislett ◽

Alexandra Jones ◽

Kathy Trieu ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Public Health ◽

Policy Change ◽

Action Plan ◽

Evaluation Framework ◽

Decision Makers ◽

Health Advocacy ◽

Salt Reduction ◽

Public Health Advocacy ◽

The Creation ◽

The Impact

Abstract Background: Public health advocacy strategies facilitate policy change by bringing key health issues to the forefront of public and political discourse, influencing decision-makers and public opinion, and increasing policy demand. The Victorian Salt Reduction Partnership (VSRP) was established in 2014 in response to inadequate government action to improve population diets in Australia. This study aimed to evaluate the success of the VSRP’s advocacy and policy strengthening strategy.Methods: Documentation of VSRP activities and outputs were collected, and semi-structured interviews conducted as part of a comprehensive process evaluation. For this study, the “Kotter Plus” 10-step public health advocacy evaluation framework was used to guide data extraction, analysis and synthesis.Results: A sense of urgency for salt reduction was generated by producing evidence and outlining the potential impact of a state-based salt reduction program. This enabled the creation of a coalition with diverse skills and expertise, which facilitated the development of an innovative and collaborative advocacy action plan. A clear change vision was established but communication of the vision to decision-makers was lacking, which reduced the impact of the program as decision-makers were not provided with a clear incentive for policy change. Program outputs were achieved; however, these did not translate to achieving broader strategic goals during a limited-term intervention in an unsympathetic political climate.Conclusions: The “Kotter Plus” 10-step framework was a useful tool for evaluating the success of the VSRP advocacy and policy strengthening strategy. The framework enabled the identification of key strengths, including the creation of the guiding coalition, and areas where efforts could be improved in future similar strategies, such as effective communication within the partnerships and to decision-makers, to better influence policy and improve public health impact.

Download Full-text