Draft EU rules that would allow baby foods to
continue to contain up to three times more sugar
than is recommended by the World Health Organisation
were vetoed by the European Parliament on Wednesday,
as they fail to protect infants and young children
against obesity, say MEPs. Instead, they advocate
reducing the EU sugar content limit to match the WHO
recommendations.
The WHO recommends limiting baby food sugar content to less than 10% of total energy intake © AP Images/ European Union-EP
"Today's vote is an
important step in helping to ensure that EU rules on
baby food are designed with their health as the
utmost priority. The proposal by the EU Commission
would have allowed baby foods to contain far higher
levels of sugar than those recommended by the World
Health Organisation (WHO). The introduction of such
high levels of sugar to foods – especially so early
– would have contributed to the rising levels of
childhood obesity and may affect the developing
taste preferences of children. For infants and young
children in particular, added sugar levels should be
kept to a minimum” said MEP Keith Taylor (Greens/EFA,
UK), who drafted the objection.
MEPs consider that the
Commission's proposal is “contrary to all health
advice from the WHO and from scientific committees
in Member States who have recommended significant
reductions in total sugar intake”.
The WHO recommends
limiting intake of free sugars to less than 10% of
total energy intake. But under the European
Commission’s proposal, sugars could continue to
provide up to 30% of the energy intake from baby
foods (7.5g sugar/100kcal is equivalent to 30kcal
from sugar in 100kcal energy).
Given that “Poor diet is
now by far the biggest underlying cause of disease
and death globally – bigger than tobacco, alcohol
and physical inactivity combined” (…), “the allowed
maximum sugar level should be substantially lowered
in line with WHO recommendations” say MEPs.
MEPs also consider that,
in line with the precautionary principle, emerging
technologies such as GMOs and nanotechnologies, the
long-term risks of which are not known, should be
prohibited in these foods.
MEPs say that the
labelling and marketing of processed baby foods
should make it clear that these products are not
appropriate for infants of less than 6 months of age,
and should not undermine the 6-month exclusive
breastfeeding recommendation.
The objection was
approved by 393 votes to 305, with 12 abstentions.
This vote sends the legislative act back to the
drawing board.
For more information
European Parliament
Link...
MDN |