The Department of Nutrition and Food Safety (NFS) has recently announced a new guideline on fiscal policies to encourage healthy diets. This document provides recommendations to countries on measures needed to improve the availability of foods that support a healthy lifestyle. These recommendations include implementing policies to discourage the consumption of unhealthy foods and promoting the consumption of nutritious options.
Unhealthy diets are a major global public health concern, contributing to an increase in non-communicable diseases such as diabetes, heart disease, stroke, and cancer. Governments have a critical role in addressing these issues by reducing the prevalence of diet-related diseases, tackling malnutrition, and promoting healthy eating habits.
One way governments can do this is through fiscal measures such as taxation and subsidies. These policies can influence consumer demand for different foods and beverages, making it easier for people to make healthier choices. The World Health Organization (WHO) has developed an evidence-based guideline on fiscal policies to promote healthy diets, which will be officially released on June 14th at 1:00 PM CET.
The virtual launch event will delve into the evidence supporting the guideline and rally various stakeholders to take action. If you have any inquiries about this topic or would like more information about how you can get involved in promoting healthy eating habits, please contact us at nfs@who.int. Together we can work towards a healthier future for all by implementing effective fiscal policies that promote healthy diets.
