The challenges
Governments and individuals recognise that what we consume has both positive and negative impacts on our health and well-being. Over-consumption of certain nutrients can lead to obesity and heart disease, especially when combined with a lack of physical activity. According to the World Health Organization, more than 1 billion adults are classed as overweight, with 300 million clinically obese. Childhood obesity is a particular concern.
Health professionals agree that obesity poses a serious health risk and can lead to a wide range of diet-related diseases such as type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure and strokes. Even if people are not overweight, factors such as excess salt, sugar and fat in the diet are linked to these chronic diseases.
At the same time 'under-nutrition' – not getting enough of the right type of nutrients – remains a critical issue facing individuals and communities around the world. According to the United Nations World Food Programme, more than 850 million people are malnourished, mostly in the developing world.
Given the relationship between diet and health, governments are under pressure to intervene. The spotlight is increasingly on food companies to improve their products and to be more transparent and responsible in their communication and marketing.
Our contribution
Our commercial success depends on selling a broad range of food and beverages. The twin issues of over- and under-nutrition pose real challenges as well as business opportunities.
If we do not respond to concerns from consumers and governments, we face lost sales, increased regulation and damage to our reputation. Equally this agenda provides opportunities to expand sales of brands that can make a specific contribution to a healthy and nutritious diet.
Our industry needs to help consumers make healthier choices, while still offering foods that they can enjoy without compromising on taste. We seek to achieve this, working with others in society who also have a role to play: governments, health bodies, consumer pressure groups and the media.
Making the healthy choice
Many factors influence people's ability to get the right nutritional balance. Ultimately consumers decide what they eat and how they balance their diets and lifestyles. However consumer choices can be influenced and even constrained by factors such as affordability and lack of awareness and access to quality products. Marketing and advertising has the power directly to influence consumer habits and perceptions, both negatively and positively.
We believe our most important contribution is to help people make healthier choices through improvements to our portfolio of products; enhancing nutrition labelling and information; providing greater consumer choice and marketing responsibly.
Our action in these areas is made more effective when we work in partnership with governments, communities and non-profit organisations. This is a consistent hallmark of our approach.
Read more about our approach to tackling these challenges.
