PAHO urges support for CARICOM for “front of package” warnings against unhealthy food

WASHINGTON DC, Dec. 18, CMC –  The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) has called for support for the CARICOM Regional Organisation for Standards and Quality (CROSQ) proposal to put front-of-package nutritional warnings on food products, which have been shown to help people make healthier dietary choices.

The labelling allows consumers to correctly, quickly, and easily identify foods that are excessive in fats, sugar, and sodium (salt) – all of which are linked to noncommunicable diseases such as heart disease, stroke and diabetes.  

The CROSQ proposal, which is under review by CARICOM Member States, suggests adopting front-of-package labelling that meets PAHO thresholds for excessive fats, sugars, and sodium.

“People living in the Caribbean still do not have access to simple and easily understood information about whether food products contain excessive and potentially harmful amounts of sugars, sodium or fats,” said Anselm Hennis, Director of PAHO’s Department of Noncommunicable Diseases and Mental Health.

“The need to know about these food products is even more critical during the COVID-19 pandemic, as persons with NCDs are at greater risk of becoming severely ill or dying from COVID-19.” 

“In the Caribbean, about one third of the population is at such a risk,” he continued. “They must be extra careful to avoid products excessive in sugars, sodium, saturated fats, trans fats or total fats.” 

Follow The Gleaner on Twitter and Instagram @JamaicaGleaner and on Facebook @GleanerJamaica. Send us a message on WhatsApp at 1-876-499-0169 or email us at onlinefeedback@gleanerjm.com or editors@gleanerjm.com.