As previously reported, the draft WHO Global Monitoring Framework for NCDs calls on national governments to report, among other things, on policies to reduce the impact of food and drink marketing to children for products high in saturated fats, trans-fatty acids, free sugars or salt.
The draft NCD Action Plan integrates the WHO’s global targets and the Global Monitoring Framework. In line with previous drafts, the Action Plan calls on member states to implement WHO’s set of recommendations on the marketing of foods and non-alcoholic beverages to children, including mechanisms for monitoring.
Policy measures to implement the WHO recommendations on food marketing to children remain included as an indicator in the Monitoring Framework.
The Action Plan further calls on member states to consider economic tools to improve the affordability of healthier food products and to discourage the consumption of less healthy options, and to develop policy measures to trigger reformulation.
In addition, the Action Plan calls on international institutions to work in partnership with the private sector, excluding the tobacco industry, “when there is no conflict of interest”.
Member states are also advised to lead multi-sectoral action and multi-stakeholder partnerships for the prevention and control of NCDs.
The draft Action Plan will be reviewed by the WHO executive board meeting on 21-29 January. An informal consultation with member states and UN Agencies will follow on 11-12 March, before informal dialogues with NGOs on 14 March and with the private sector on 15 March.
A final draft will be published in April/May, ahead of the 66th World Health Assembly, which will be asked to adopt the Action plan on 20-28 May.
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