It’s June 2024 and the Caribbean region is bustling with excitement. The 4th International Conference on Small Island Developing States recently concluded, with Caribbean Community (CARICOM) leaders and other Small Island Developing States (SIDS) policymakers determined to collaborate on a future of resilience and sustainability. The ICC Men’s T20 World Cup tournament is also captivating audiences across the region. It’s fascinating how these high-profile events generate such a flurry of activity, yet significant initiatives that are central to regional development often slip under the radar.

Take, for instance, the crucial issue of the implementation of octagonal front-of-package warning labelling (FOPWL) across CARICOM. Octagonal FOPWL helps consumers quickly, easily and correctly identify food products high in sugar, fat and sodium. These products, when consumed in excess, can lead to diet-related conditions like non-communicable diseases (NCDs).

Octagonal FOPWL – a system that involves easy-to-understand ‘black stop signs’ on the front of packaged products – was rejected by the majority of CARICOM Member States. Youth health advocates across the region are asking, why?

The Caribbean has one of the highest rates of NCDs and childhood obesity in the Americas. Octagonal FOPWL is among a suite of policies proven to reduce NCDs. It is backed by growing regional and international evidence, free of conflict of interest.

By identifying products high in sugar, fat and sodium, octagonal FOPWL supports other policies, like school nutrition policies and marketing restrictions, aimed at comprehensively shaping healthier food environments. Research conducted by the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) and the University of West Indies suggests that if octagonal FOPWL was implemented in Barbados, it would avert 16% of the deaths caused by NCDs and save the country USD 732.8 million annually.

Despite the robust evidence in support of octagonal FOPWL, and its wide implementation across the  Americas, most countries across CARICOM voted against it twice – once in 2021 and again in 2023. This vote is also misaligned with the Caribbean Public Health Agency’s (CARPHA) 6-Point Policy Package and the Bridgetown Declaration on NCDs and Mental Health which SIDS leaders agreed to at the 3rd SIDS Summit held last year in Bridgetown, Barbados.  Interestingly, the theme for this year’s SIDS 4 Conference was “Charting the Course Toward Resilient Prosperity”. CARICOM leaders participated in a conference on resilience, yet, regional decisions that prioritise health – the cornerstone of a resilient population – have not prevailed?  Is the region’s health, not the region’s wealth?

Denying the region this tool, is a strike against human rights – the right to adequate nutritious food, the right to information about food, the right to benefit from scientific progress/research and ultimately the right to health.

As youth advocates, we became aware of the rejection in March 2024 and it leaves us gravely concerned about the region’s commitment to health especially given CARICOM Heads of Government’s previous commitments to support healthy food environments through a number of policies including front of package labelling.

Let’s delve in: What are our major concerns with the process used to determine this final decision on octagonal front-of-package warning labelling?

Lack of Meaningful Consultation with the general public  – It is critical for issues regarding the public’s welfare to be supported by balanced public consultation. Unfortunately, there was little to no consultation with the general public on the issue. In instances where there was a consultation, industry actors were prominent voices in the room. Did you as a citizen of a CARICOM member state know that the region was determining whether or not you would benefit from the introduction of octagonal FOPWL? Likely not. Where was the ‘public’ in this matter regarding ‘public’ health?

Lack of Transparency about…almost everything- Was the composition of decision-making parties and potential conflicts of interest documented and made publicly available? Were the procedures for stakeholder consultation (including submission of comments) and the protocols for voting clearly documented and made publicly available? No. Have all the decisions that led to this current vote been publicised? Unfortunately not.

Fitting a Square Peg into a Round hole – The regional standards process is by its nature governed by trade and begs the question – does a public health measure which seeks to empower citizens to transition away from the purchase and consumption of unhealthy foods really stand a chance when those who determine its fate are inclined to prioritise economic interests over health interests?

And so, we reflect:

The recurring inability to reach a harmonised consensus on the adoption and implementation of octagonal FOPWL across CARICOM Member States, points to a prioritisation of profit over health. The flawed consultative and voting processes on this standard in 2021 and 2023 reveal a deeply rooted and pervasive industry influence often occurring behind closed doors. As a region, heavily reliant on trade and exports for economic development, it is unsurprising that some private sector actors remain a dominant voice advocating against the simple black octagonal warning label as the regional standard while pushing for alternative models which are known to be less effective and confusing to consumers.

The industry emphasises the potential costs involved in implementing the octagonal FOPWL, however the long-term health benefits and associated costs in the hundreds of millions annually far outweigh any expenses incurred. Concerns about significant costs and technical barriers to product reformulation are also overstated. Manufacturers are constantly adapting to meet requirements of external markets. Moreover, warning labels may ultimately enhance the reputation of the food industry by promoting healthier options.

The array of concerns and proposed solutions related to the process used to determine the decision on octagonal FOPWL in CARICOM are detailed in the “Public Health Decision-Making in CARICOM- Strengthening the Front-of-Package Nutrition Labelling Standardisation Programme”. This resource was produced by the Global Center for Legal Innovation on Food Environments at the O’Neill Institute for National and Global Health Law, Georgetown University in Washington D.C., the Law and Health Research Unit at the University of the West Indies and Healthy Caribbean Coalition (HCC).

As we move forward, what do we want to see?

First and foremost – a strengthening of governance of the process with an urgent implementation of transparency and accountability measures to address the challenges outlined. The “Public Health Decision-Making in CARICOM- Strengthening the Front-of-Package Nutrition Labelling Standardisation Programme”, provides a series of recommendations that should be reviewed at the highest levels of decision making in CARICOM to address these decision making processes.

Secondly – a truly participatory process in developing future public health guidelines, taking into consideration potential conflicts of interests, on these, and similar policies that impact the general public. The public should have a say in public health.

What can you do?

1. Reach out to your local Bureau of Standards to update you on the status of octagonal FOPWL in your country.
2. Check out the new report, “Public Health Decision-Making in CARICOM- Strengthening the Front-of-Package Nutrition Labelling Standardisation Programme”, This report seeks to inform the strengthening of public health decision-making in CARICOM by analysing the FOPWL standardisation programme led by Caribbean Regional Organization for Standard and Quality (CROSQ).
3. Stay abreast of local education campaigns that provide information on what is currently contained in foods, and more generally review your local food based dietary guideline for guidance on a healthy, balanced meal.
4. Push for your right to information about what foods you are buying and consuming. Purchase packaged foods that have a nutrition facts label affixed (often found on the back of packages) since this is the only way that we can be aware of what is actually in the foods that we are purchasing.
5. Hold our governments accountable by calling out alliances with companies that continue to manufacture and distribute ultra processed products. These alliances can promote the stance of profit over people. Lobby for the implementation of conflict of interest policies to increase transparency and safeguard policymaking.

As the SIDS meeting and T20 cricket buzz fades, we as youth health advocates wonder how our CARICOM Leaders will create a lasting impact on the health of our region? How will they refocus on health and stay true to long standing commitments made to implement policies and programmes – like octagonal front-of-package warning labels – to not only treat but prevent non-communicable diseases? Are we hitting healthy food policies for a Six?

Simone Bishop-Matthews, Shay Stabler-Morris, Simeca Alexander Williamson, Danielle Walwyn, Michele Baker, Kerrie Barker, Kimberley Benjamin, Rozette Scotland and Mahalia Wilson are members of Healthy Caribbean Youth.

Healthy Caribbean Youth (HCY), the youth arm of the Healthy Caribbean Coalition, is a regional group of young health advocates with various backgrounds who are passionate about promoting good health and supportive environments for children and youth.

Are you a young person interested in advocating for a healthier Caribbean? Are you between the ages of 15-35? Consider joining the youth arm of the Healthy Caribbean Coalition by emailing hcy@healthycaribbean.org.

The post Are We Hitting Healthy Food Policies for a Six? appeared first on Healthy Caribbean Coalition.

On Wednesday June 5, 2024, the Healthy Caribbean Coalition (HCC) hosted a pivotal discussion-based event, “Ignite Change: Tobacco-Control Efforts in the Caribbean”, focusing on the impact of new and emerging tobacco products on children and youth and tobacco control advocacy efforts. This event gathered key stakeholders across various sectors and was held in recognition of World No Tobacco Day 2024, which highlighted the need to protect young people from tobacco industry interference.

Participants explored the increasing use of electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS) and electronic non-nicotine delivery systems (ENNDS) among Caribbean youth, the aggressive marketing tactics employed by the tobacco industry, and ways to engage youth as advocates in tobacco control efforts.

Discussion Objectives
The objectives of the session were to:

• Discuss concerns with the new and emerging tobacco products in the Caribbean, and the impact on children and youth
• Explore strategies for Caribbean child and youth engagement in tobacco control advocacy
• Highlight and amplify tobacco control advocacy efforts in the Caribbean
• Introduce and expand the newly formed network of key stakeholders interested in sharing and collaborating on tobacco control related efforts in the Caribbean.

The post Ignite Change: Tobacco-Control Efforts in the Caribbean appeared first on Healthy Caribbean Coalition.

The World Health Organization (WHO) and its global partners recognize May 31 annually as World No Tobacco Day. The significance of this special day is to encourage people who smoke to quit and those who don’t to never start. World No Tobacco Day is often celebrated by highlighting the health risks associated with tobacco use and advocating for the effective monitoring of the sale, distribution, consumption and promotion of tobacco products. Every year tobacco kills more than 8 million people, 7 million of which are due to tobacco use while approximately 1.2 million are due to non-smokers being exposed to second-hand smoke.

This year’s theme for World No Tobacco Day, “Protecting children from tobacco industry interference”, cuts to the core of a disturbing truth – The tobacco industry needs replacement users and youth are a primary target. Many of us use social media and are constantly bombarded with advertisements. Disturbingly, among these ads, the tobacco industry has found a way to infiltrate the screens of youth with flashy, colourful promotions for their products. These ads are meticulously designed to appeal to youthful sensibilities, making smoking and vaping seem attractive and harmless.

The Rising Threat of New and Emerging Tobacco Products

Traditional cigarettes are no longer the only threat. The rise of electronic cigarettes, oral nicotine products etc., have introduced a new dimension to the problem. These products are often marketed as safer alternatives or cessation tools, but they pose significant risks, especially to young, developing brains. The appeal of e-cigarettes to adolescents is particularly troubling. A 2022 study of 47 countries found that 8.6% of youth reported using e-cigarettes in the last 30 days. In the Caribbean a handful of countries are regulating e-cigarettes including Jamaica, Guyana, and Barbados, who have banned e-cigarette use in public places. Antigua and Barbuda, along with Suriname, have taken an even stronger stance by prohibiting the import, distribution, and sale of e-cigarettes altogether. Despite these measures, the Global Youth Tobacco Survey (GYTS) data showed current use of e-cigarettes among 13-15-year-old students ranging from 4.0% in Antigua and Barbuda to 17.2% in Trinidad and Tobago. Trinidad and Tobago has the second-highest rate of youth e-cigarette use in all of the Americas, following the United States. Traditional cigarette smoking among youth still continues to be a major concern because they are regarded as the smokers of tomorrow as three to four out of every ten ever-smokers, in the Caribbean region, initiated smoking before the age of 10 years.

Tobacco use, in any form, is linked to numerous health risks, including an increased likelihood of developing cancer, heart disease, and respiratory conditions. Electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS) or e-cigarettes containing nicotine are particularly harmful as they can lead to nicotine addiction, which adversely affects brain development in adolescents, potentially impairing memory, concentration, and learning abilities. Even e-cigarettes without nicotine or electronic non-nicotine delivery systems (ENNDS) can be dangerous due to the inhalation of harmful chemicals and flavourings that can cause respiratory issues and other health problems. Nicotine pouches, though marketed as a safer alternative, still deliver highly addictive nicotine and can lead to dependency, oral health issues, and an increased risk of transitioning to other tobacco products. The link between vaping and mental health issues is becoming increasingly evident.  A U.S study published in 2019, examined the association between e-cigarette use and depression and found that current e-cigarette users had more than twice the odds of reporting a history of clinical depression compared to those who had never used e-cigarettes. Specifically, current e-cigarette users were 2.10 times more likely to report depression, with the odds increasing with the frequency of use.

The Tobacco Industry’s Pervasive Marketing Strategies

As a youth tobacco control advocate, I am especially concerned with the tobacco industry’s persistent marketing in the Caribbean. With social media being widely used, especially among young people, tobacco companies are leveraging platforms like Facebook, Instagram, X formerly known as Twitter, and TikTok to promote their addictive products. These companies, having honed their skills in targeting youth, are now implementing online marketing strategies that are both sophisticated and pervasive. These strategies include lifestyle campaigns that link tobacco and nicotine with freedom, rebellion, and youthfulness, creating an appealing image that resonates strongly with adolescents. Additionally, tobacco companies are compensating social media influencers to endorse their brands subtly, seamlessly integrating their products into the daily lives of young followers. A report from the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, titled #SponsoredByBigTobacco, reveals that promotional content for Velo, IQOS and Vuse (products by British American Tobacco and Phillip Morris) has accumulated over 3.4 billion views on social media and reached more than 150 million young people under the age of 25.

The tobacco industry is also using carnivals and festivals as a marketing opportunity. For example, British American Tobacco heavily promoted their vaping device, Vuse, during the Jamaican Carnival. They used social media to advertise a promotion where purchasing Vuse products gave participants a chance to win a t-shirt package to Play Mas. They even had their own carnival truck and tents where Vuse products were prominently displayed. This type of marketing not only targets young adults but also attracts young children and teenagers, embedding the presence of tobacco products in the festive and culturally significant atmosphere of carnival. This concerted effort has allowed Big Tobacco to reach a massive young audience, making addictive products seem normal and even desirable through extensive in-person and social media exposure.

From conversations with my peers, it’s clear why vapes are so enticing: the wide range of flavours, their trendy image, affordability, and the misleading perception that they are harmless.Companies like Philip Morris and the West Indian Tobacco Company Limited have capitalised on these perceptions by advancing their own “smoke-free vision” – marketing their vaping devices as “risk-reduced alternatives” and a way for adult smokers to quit tobacco. However, the evidence shows a different story. Studies have shown that youth often misunderstand these claims, and are led to believe that these products are without harm, leading to an increased likelihood of nicotine and tobacco-use initiation.

The Urgent Need for Comprehensive Regulations

The WHO’s newly published report, Hooking the Next Generation: how the tobacco industry captures young customers, has revealed the strategies employed by the tobacco and nicotine industry to entice youth. Recent statistics show that 85% of 15–30-year-olds have been exposed to e-cigarette advertising, with higher exposure linked to increased use. In light of this data, Caribbean youth are joining the call to action on World No Tobacco Day 2024, urging our governments to protect us from the manipulative tactics of the tobacco industry. This call to action aims to raise awareness and mobilise efforts to prevent the targeting and exploitation of young people by these harmful products and deceptive strategies. It is crucial to reveal how the industry markets new products as “reduced risk” alternatives, misleading young consumers. Moreover, comprehensive regulations are essential to protect youth from new tobacco and nicotine products. Extending smoke-free laws to include e-cigarettes and other novel products, as well as banning flavours that appeal to young users, are vital steps in preventing the renormalization of smoking behaviours.

In collaboration with the HCC, I developed the Youth Tobacco Advocacy Portal, which serves as a platform to share information, strategies, and resources to combat tobacco use and influence policy changes. For WNTD 2023, the HCC launched a report developed in collaboration with PAHO:, Vaping Among Adolescents and Youth in the Caribbean Situation, Policy Responses and Recommended Actions, which provides guidance to Caribbean governments. Governments play a crucial role in this fight and should take decisive actions to safeguard youth. Based on this report’s recommendations,  I urge our governments to implement and enforce the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC):

• Implement and enforce comprehensive bans on tobacco advertising, promotion, and sponsorship (TAPS), including guidelines for digital and cross-border marketing, to prevent tobacco companies from exploiting new media platforms to target youth.
• Raise prices and taxes on tobacco and nicotine products to make them less affordable and less accessible to young people.
• Strictly enforce bans on the sale of tobacco and nicotine products to children.
• Address tobacco industry interference and conflict of interest. The tobacco industry’s persistent interference in policy-making demands stringent measures. Rejecting any partnerships or agreements with the industry is paramount, given their history of undermining tobacco control efforts. Moreover, enhancing transparency in the industry’s lobbying and marketing practices is imperative to safeguard policy-making processes from undue influence. Good governance policies must be enacted to ensure transparency and address conflict of interest and industry interference, aligning with the principles outlined in the 2023 Bridgetown Declaration on NCDs and Mental Health and Article 5.3 of the WHO FCTC.
• Update legislation to include ENDS and ENNDS to address the evolving landscape of tobacco products and ensure comprehensive protection for youth.

As we commemorate World No Tobacco Day 2024, we must remember that safeguarding our youth from the tobacco industry’s predatory practices is non-negotiable. The rise of new and alluring tobacco products, coupled with the relentless barrage of social media marketing, underscores the urgency of our response. Our governments must heed the call to action, enacting comprehensive regulations and enforcing existing frameworks like the WHO FCTC with unwavering determination. By prioritising transparency, accountability, and the well-being of our youth, we can dismantle the tobacco industry’s web of deceit and protect future generations from the grip of addiction and disease.

Let this day serve as a catalyst for change, uniting us in our resolve to build a nicotine and tobacco-free Caribbean.

Dorial Quintyne is the Project Assistant for the Healthy Caribbean Coalition’s Healthy Food Policy Project and holds a Master’s degree in Public Health from Seoul National University, South Korea. She is a passionate youth tobacco control advocate and an active member of Healthy Caribbean Youth.

The post Did You Know The Tobacco Industry Has A Hold On Our Youth? appeared first on Healthy Caribbean Coalition.

On Friday, 17 May 2024, the Healthy Caribbean Coalition (HCC) and partners hosted a webinar entitled ‘Caribbean Mobilising to Eliminate Industrially Produced Trans Fats’, it convened key regional stakeholders to discuss the elimination of industrially produced trans fats (iTFAs) from the Caribbean food supply. iTFAs are a significant contributor to cardiovascular diseases, causing around 278,000 deaths globally each year.

In 2022, CARICOM member states committed to removing iTFA from the food supply by December 2025. Momentum is building across the region as countries begin work in this area with the support of key regional partners. Civil society has an important role to play in supporting these efforts.

Funded by a grant from Resolve to Save Lives (RTSL), HCC has undertaken an initiative which aims to support civil society advocacy and increase public and policymaker awareness for regulatory policies to eliminate partially hydrogenated oils (PHOs) and limit iTFAs to no more than 2% of total fat in all food products. This webinar was a crucial step in building momentum and support for iTFA regulation across the region

Webinar Goal and Objectives

The goal of this webinar was to build regional support for the accelerated enactment of regulatory policies in CARICOM Member States to eliminate iTFA from the food supply.

The objectives of the webinar were to:

• Sensitise HCC’s stakeholders about the HCC Civil Society iTFA Advocacy Project.
• Build awareness about iTFAs, their associated health dangers and presence in the Caribbean food supply.
• Showcase global best practices and lessons learned in iTFA regulation.
• Build awareness of regulatory approaches and pathways for the elimination of iTFAs in CARICOM, and in doing so, highlight the feasibility of introducing iTFA regulation in the Caribbean.

Sponsors and Partners

This webinar was implemented with the support of RTSL, in partnership with CARICOM, the Caribbean Public Health Law Forum, the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA), the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), the OECS Commission, the Law and Health Research Unit (LHRU), the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Barbados (HSFB), Healthy Bahamas Coalition (HBC), Heart Foundation of Jamaica (HFJ), Lake Health and Wellbeing and the St. Lucia Diabetes & Hypertension Association (SLDHA).

The post Caribbean Mobilising to Eliminate Industrially Produced Trans Fats appeared first on Healthy Caribbean Coalition.

Using Big Tobacco’s Playbook

As a youth tobacco control advocate in the Caribbean, I see glaring similarities between the tactics of the tobacco industry and those of the food and beverage industry. The tobacco industry asserts itself as a stakeholder in policy development. They often lobby against comprehensive tobacco control policies under the guise of protecting jobs and economic interests, disregarding the toll of tobacco-related diseases on our communities.

They attempt to influence scientific research to cast doubt on the harms of their products. By funding studies that downplay the health risks of tobacco use or promote misleading claims, they seek to undermine the evidence base for tobacco control measures. The tobacco industry strategically targets youth by marketing flavoured vapes with attractive packaging while engaging in corporate social responsibility activities, such as sponsorships and scholarships, which improves their public image.

The food and beverage industry is clearly mimicking Big Tobacco’s playbook, evident in their persistent marketing to children and resistance to the Octagonal Warning Label. However, Caribbean youth won’t be silent bystanders. We demand transparent, evidence-based public health policies that prioritize our well-being, not corporate profits.

Dorial Quintyne
(Public Health Practitioner, Barbados)

Breastmilk Substitutes

A troubling trend in their marketing strategy involves portraying formula as a cure-all for common infant issues like fussiness and colic, which are natural developmental processes ideally addressed through breastfeeding. This not only fuels unwarranted anxiety around breastfeeding and infant care but also establishes a misleading equivalence between formula and breastfeeding. This narrative undermines women’s confidence in exclusively breastfeeding, potentially contributing to lower breastfeeding rates globally.

Here in CARICOM, implementation of the International Code of Marketing of Breast Milk Substitutes from the WHO is abysmal with only one country reported as having implemented any provisions – a critical measure to counteract the powerful breast milk substitutes lobby. For advocates, like myself, a first step is a call for full implementation of the Code supported by widespread transformations such as universal paid maternity leave. Governments, workplaces, and healthcare providers must collaborate to ensure unwavering support, offering unbiased information about infant feeding.
Additionally, implementing clear front-of package warning labels is crucial for empowering parents to make informed decisions about their children’s nutrition. Breast milk remains the paramount source of infant nutrition, and these labels can counteract the oversimplified messaging of formula marketing, emphasizing the unequivocal benefits of breastfeeding. This concerted effort aims to create a more informed and supportive global environment for parents and caregivers.

Rhianna Smith
Breastfeeding Advocate, Barbados

How can governments protect policies from industry interference – highlighting the CROSQ report

Being involved in the development of the newly published (March 2024) report, ‘Public health decision-making in CARICOM: Strengthening the Front-of-Package Nutrition Labelling Standardisation Programme’, which analyses and seeks to inform the strengthening of that standardisation programme, has underscored for me the importance of governments in protecting public policies.

The report highlights, for example, the labyrinth of actors involved and the multiple potential entry points for inordinate industry interference in the process to revise the CARICOM Regional Standard specification for the labelling of pre-packaged foods to include octagonal ‘high in’ warning labels as defined by the PAHO Nutrient Profile Model. From the lack of standardisation in the approach to commenting, voting and accepting evidence, to variations in committees’ composition, among other factors, it is evident that weak or absent rules to govern multisectoral engagement in policymaking create opportunities for commercial and other vested interests to usurp public health interests.

I am convinced that our CARICOM Governments must not only sit in the driver’s seat of the policymaking process but must also establish clear rules for legitimate stakeholders to navigate the policymaking space in ways that do not undermine the public interests at stake. As such, governments must adopt, implement and consistently monitor a suite of governance mechanisms, such as conflict of interest policies and access to information laws.

Kimberley Benjamin
Attorney-at-law, Barbados

The Jamaican FOPWL voting process

The 2023 Jamaican voting process for the Final Draft CARICOM Regional Standard–5, which included the Octagonal Warning Label and the PAHO Nutrient Profile Model, was marred by significant irregularities, suggesting interference from the food and beverage industry. As a member of the National Consumers League (NCL), I participated in this process, motivated by my expertise as a global health lawyer.

The process was supervised by the Bureau of Standards Jamaica (BSJ). Per BSJ standards, a 75% affirmative vote was required to approve the standard. However, the five stakeholder groups’ votes resulted in a deadlock: 40% in favour (NGOs and academia), 40% against (industry and government), and 20% undecided—both members of the consumer group (Consumer Affairs Commission-CAC and National Consumer League of Jamaica-NCLJ) could not reach a consensus.

Instead of reporting this deadlock to CROSQ and recording an abstention, NCL was invited to meetings under the guise of having the consumer stakeholder group (NCL and CAC) come to a definite decision i.e. consensus. NCL had originally voted in favour of the standard. This approach was inappropriate, as reaching the 75% requirement for approval was impossible at this stage. The only other objective would have been to secure a firm opposing vote as the national position. The interventions constitute significant irregularities, reflecting a pattern of industry interference seen in regulatory processes globally.

Urgent steps must be taken to improve public health governance such that standards-making/ policymaking processes such as these are safeguarded from undue influence by industry actors with conflicting interests.

Shajoe Lake
Global Health Lawyer, Jamaica

FOPWL 

As a major industrial hub in the Caribbean, Trinidad and Tobago guarantees a lucrative market for processed or ultra-processed products, crippling health systems. As a youth advocate in the healthy food policy space, there has been a lack of transparency in T&T’s consultative and voting processes around the hotly debated ‘high-in’ octagonal front of package warning label (FOPWL) standard. Food and beverage manufacturers and distributors continue to resist the adoption of the FOPWL standard, which reflects their willingness to sacrifice consumers’ health in pursuit of profits.

Even more concerning, is the shift of a public health strategy in combating obesogenic environments to a trade-focused debate. Under the guise of concerns over costs to consumers and manufacturers associated with mass reformulation or relabeling requirements, private sector has conducted studies to determine an appropriate FOPL scheme, hoping to undermine the scientific evidence highlighting octagonal warning label’s FOPL’s efficacy.

It is evident that food and beverage industries are well-connected politically, capitalizing on their resources to provoke fear and ignorance amidst the region’s economic vulnerabilities. We must keep pushing for the regional adoption of the FOPWL standard and unmask industry interference. We call on our governments to safeguard the region’s economic development but not at the cost to consumers’ health and wellbeing.

Simone Bishop Matthews
Public Health Practitioner, Trinidad and Tobago

The importance of COI free public health research in informing healthy food policies

As a public health researcher, it is important to scrutinise all aspects of research, including: the connections of the researcher(s), the funding source(s), the event(s) under observation, the overall research design, questions asked, how they’re asked, as well as the communities and individuals one speaks to.

Consider these two example questions:

• Do you think that the government should place restrictions on what you eat and drink?
• Can you describe ways in which the government could promote healthy eating practices?

One question is leading and biased, the other is objective. These questions may seem similar in focus, but the outcomes will be very different.

Too often, we see misleading research from ‘industry actors’ who produce, promote and distribute unhealthy food and beverages. These reports create a distinct conflict-of-interest. Instead of truly prioritizing the health and wellbeing of society, they downplay the health-harming effects of their products and distract the consumer with other focuses.
Octagonal Front-of-Package Warning Labels (FOPWL) are an effective solution to this issue. The Pan American Health Organization notes that the ‘High-In’ Octagonal label, modelled in countries like Chile and Mexico, is the best and most readily understood nutrition label. Consumers using this system can easily and accurately identify products high in nutrients of concern like salt, sugar and fats.

Despite this clear public health evidence, we see industry promoting other, less efficient and less effective labelling standards. Policy makers must avoid such research as it often prioritises the profitability of the business over the health and wellbeing of people.

Christopher Laurie
Public Health Researcher, Barbados

Marketing to Children

As the Advocacy Officer for Childhood Obesity Prevention and Healthy Food Policy at the Healthy Caribbean Coalition, I am responsible for monitoring conflicts of interest and industry interference in policy-making across the region. During the COVID-19 pandemic, I observed a troubling trend: the increased marketing of ultra-processed brands and products directly to children. This strategy, aimed at acquiring and retaining customers from a young age, disregards the well-documented physical and mental health risks associated with product consumption.

This insidious unhealthy food marketing, particularly when targeting children across the Caribbean and globally, takes various forms, from branded school sponsored events and the distribution of branded school items, to donations of ultra-processed products to vulnerable children by numerous food/beverage manufacturers and entities. These are deflective activities aimed at gaining public and policymaker favor while promoting products for profit.

By cultivating this collective favour, actors in the ultra-processed product industry gain privileged access to policymakers, entering “closed-door meetings” and policymaking spaces that lack clear guidelines for managing conflicts of interest and fostering transparency. Their gained public support and respect also discourages questioning of their presence in these influential spaces.

It is crucial to urgently address what may seem like innocent tactics as they evolve to threaten the development of mechanisms, like healthy food policies, that are designed to protect the region’s health.

Danielle Walwyn
Advocacy Officer, Antigua and Barbuda

SEE THE TRUTH: SOME FOOD INDUSTRY ACTORS WORKING AGAINST OCTAGONAL WARNING LABELS

There is an urgent need to protect our public health policy-making processes.

Since the start of consultations around the front-of-package labelling Regional Standard for pre-packaged food products in 2018, the ultra-processed food and beverage industry — supported by the wider private sector industry in the Caribbean — has become an overpowering actor in healthy food policy discussions.

Visit the campaign webpage

The post Our Youth See the Truth appeared first on Healthy Caribbean Coalition.

The Healthy Caribbean Coalition (HCC) has expanded its sponsorship through the Theme Category for the upcoming Caribbean Broadcasting Union (CBU) NGC Caribbean Media Awards to two (2) categories; Print Media and Television. The HCC recognises the importance of the content published by the regional media, as a key partner, in the efforts to reduce the incidence of childhood obesity and non-communicable diseases, across the Caribbean. Media advocacy around healthy food policies supports on-the-ground and digital communication campaigns across the Caribbean. Through this effort, the HCC continues to encourage the media to increase the coverage and the focus on comprehensive healthy nutrition food policies, as one of the key steps in promoting an environment which is conducive to good health.

On August 13, 2024, the National Gas Company of Trinidad and Tobago (NGC) CBU Caribbean Media Awards Gala event transmitted live from Belize, will include an award for print journalism and television journalism under the theme: Healthy Nutrition Food Policy.  The prize will include a trophy as well as a BBD $2,000.00 bursary for the Award winners each, to produce additional material under the theme. This year, the HCC will also sponsor the travel and accommodation of the two (2) winners in the theme category: Healthy Nutrition Food Policy; Print and Television, to attend the Awards.

The eligible entries for the HCC-supported Award will explore regional healthy food policies including regulating school food environments, particularly  through the restriction or  ban on the sale and marketing of ultra-processed food products in schools (including sugar sweetened beverages (SSBs)); fiscal policies to make healthy foods more affordable while deterring consumption of unhealthy ultra-processed food products through taxation such as the introduction of or increase in SSB taxes of at least 20%; and strengthening food labelling through the introduction of octagonal ‘high-in’ warning labels on pre-packaged foods  using the PAHO nutrient profile model.

This category is open to all print and television media, whether or not they are CBU members, operating from: Anguilla; Antigua and Barbuda; the Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, the British Virgin Islands; the Commonwealth of Dominica; Grenada; Guyana, Haiti, Jamaica, Montserrat; St. Kitts & Nevis; St. Lucia; St. Vincent & the Grenadines; Trinidad and Tobago; and the Turks & Caicos Islands.

Entries must have been published between January 1 and December 31, of 2023 and can be submitted through to February 29, 2024.

In welcoming the continued partnership with the CBU, HCC Communications Officer, Mrs. Sheena Warner-Edwards noted that

the HCC has been able to fortify direct engagement with the region’s media. In small developing settings such as those in the Caribbean, the media has been a major partner in the public health space. As partners, they have served as crucial health information vehicles. Their significant influence has led to increased awareness in and adoption of best public health practices, exemplified by the productive dialogue around and implementation of healthy nutrition food policies across the region”.

HCC Communications Officer, Mrs. Sheena Warner-Edwards

More information on the Awards can be obtained from CBU’s website, HCC’s website or through CBU’s and HCC’s other online platforms.

The post HCC Expands Its Theme Sponsorship for the 2023 CBU Caribbean Media Awards appeared first on Healthy Caribbean Coalition.

On December 1st, the Healthy Caribbean Coaliiton (HCC) co-hosted The 2023 Conference on the Harmful Use of Alcohol in the English-Speaking Caribbean alongside its partners, The UWI Faculty of Medical Sciences, St. Augustine and the Eastern Caribbean Health Outcomes Research Network (ECHORN). The Conference was held at the UWI St. Augustine Campus, and live-streamed via the Zoom platform in recognition of the 8th Caribbean Alcohol Reduction Day (CARD).

This hybrid conference event was conceptualized by HCC Alcohol Policy Advisor, Professor Rohan Maharaj, and featured presentations from regional academics and public health experts, working in the field of alcohol research and policy. Seventeen (17) presentations were delivered, covering a wide range of topics including the impact of alcohol on public health, regional policy interventions, and the latest research findings. Lay summaries from those presentations can be found here: (click on the images below to enlarge)

The HCC and partners, with the support of PAHO, have hosted annual CARD events over the last seven years, under various themes and titles: The Misuse of Alcohol (2016); Drink Less, Reduce Cancer (2017); Youth: Let’s Talk about Alcohol (2018); Women and Alcohol (2019); Alcohol and COVID-19 (2020); Live Better, Drink Less: Challenges and Opportunities in the Caribbean (2021) and ‘The WHO Global Alcohol Action Plan (GAAP) 2022-2030 – Priorities / Implications for the Caribbean’ (2022).

This year’s hybrid conference theme was entitled “Alcohol Research- Evidence for Action and attracted over 100 virtual and 36 in-person attendees.

The objectives of the Conference and by extension, CARD 2023, were:

1. To provide an update on regional progress and priorities in alcohol policy development and implementation including discussion of barriers and opportunities.
2. To showcase alcohol research from across the English-speaking Caribbean.
3. To discuss how to better utilize research to advocate for accelerated implementation of alcohol policies in the Caribbean.
4. To highlight alcohol advocacy.

Throughout the day, four (4) sessions were held surrounding the issues of alcohol and population-based studies, regional policy, social impact and medical issues. Each session was followed by a brief Q&A segment.

• Download the Concept Note
• Download the Conference Abstract Supplement

The HCC and partners have held an annual Caribbean Alcohol Reduction Days (CARD) since 2016 you can find details of the other CARD days here.

The post 8th Caribbean Alcohol Reduction Day (CARD) 2023 appeared first on Healthy Caribbean Coalition.

OPEN LETTER

to the National Standards Bodies of CARICOM

in reference to the

CARICOM Member State Voting on the Final Draft CARICOM Regional Standard for Specification for labeling of pre-packaged foods (FDCRS 5)

4 October, 2023

Dear CARICOM National Standards Bodies,

We are writing as leaders in health and nutrition across the Caribbean to urge your stakeholders representing diverse sectors of society and senior policymakers in Ministries of Trade, Commerce, Business, Finance, and Agriculture, to support the approval of the Final Draft CARICOM Regional Standard for Specification for labeling of pre-packaged foods (FDCRS 5), which includes the octagonal front-of-package warning label and the PAHO Nutrient Profile Model.

Caribbean people deserve the best nutritional labelling system to reduce malnutrition in all its forms—including undernutrition and overnutrition—and improve their health.

Among various nutritional labelling systems, scientific evidence, including from the Caribbean region, underscores the superior effectiveness of the octagonal warning label, which empowers consumers to quickly, correctly, and easily identify products with unhealthy nutritional profiles.

Caribbean countries have some of the world’s most alarming rates of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) and obesity. These conditions not only place immense strain on our healthcare systems, but also pose a significant threat to our economic stability, and, as underscored in the recent Bridgetown Declaration on NCDs and Mental Health, they jeopardize our regional development objectives and the attainment of the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals.

At the heart of these diet-related health challenges lies the overconsumption of foods high in sodium/salt, sugar, and fats – a situation which is in part due to the lack of awareness of the content of many foods. Current nutrition labels are difficult to read and understand and are often misleading.

Caribbean people deserve access to a labelling system that has proven its effectiveness in helping consumers make informed food choices.

Studies conducted globally, as well as regionally in Jamaica and in Barbados, show that the octagonal warning label outperforms all other labels in allowing consumers to quickly, easily, and correctly identify foods high in sodium/salt, sugar, and fats.[1] In Barbados, the introduction of octagonal warning labels has the potential to reduce NCD deaths by 16%, while saving the government in excess of 700 million US dollars in mortality costs annually.[2]

The impact of the octagonal warning labeling system extends far beyond the supermarket aisle. It has the capacity to easily identify those food products which should be regulated in various settings, including schools, and be subjected to taxation (unhealthy products) and subsidies (healthy products). The HCC and partners’ newly launched campaign, ‘Octagonal Warning Labels help consumers #ActOnFacts’ speaks to this and the other co-benefits of implementing this labelling standard.

The time to act is now.

The time to act is now, as we echo the commitment made by Caribbean Heads of State and Government in the 2007 Declaration of Port of Spain to address the “epidemic of chronic NCDs” by prioritising the prevention of NCDs through strong policies. Approval of this Final Draft CARICOM Regional Standard and the octagonal warning label not only honours this historic commitment, but also represents a significant step towards safeguarding the nutrition and health of our citizens, particularly those living with obesity and NCDs. The rising levels of childhood obesity in the region and the associated increased risk of NCDs, heighten the imperative for action; Caribbean people have a right to simple and easily understood information about the food they consume; right now, they do not.

Our collective voices build on the signatures of support from over 400 Caribbean public health professionals, academics, and ordinary citizens, and over 40 regional organisations.

We implore your stakeholders to consider the urgency of this matter and the profound impact that your decision will have on the immediate and future nutrition, health, and well-being of Caribbean people, and, by extension, national and regional development.

By approving the Final Draft CARICOM Regional Standard for Specification for labelling of pre-packaged foods and the octagonal warning label, through a fair and balanced vote including all key stakeholders, you will send a clear message of commitment to improve the lives of citizens across CARICOM and securing a healthier future for the region.

SIGNED

REGIONAL PARTNERS

Sir Trevor Hassell, President, Healthy Caribbean Coalition (HCC)

Mr. Dean Chambliss, Subregional Program Director for the Caribbean, Pan American Health Organization (PAHO)

Dr. Joy St. John, Executive Director, Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA)

Dr. Didacus Jules, Director General, OECS Commission

Mr. Pieter Bult, Representative EC, UNICEF Eastern Caribbean

Mrs. Nicole Foster, Law Lecturer & Head, Law and Health Research Unit, Faculty of Law, University of the West Indies Cave Hill Campus.

Professor Simon Anderson, Director of the George Alleyne Chronic Disease Research Centre (GA-CDRC)

HCC PATRON

Sir George Alleyne, Director Emeritus, PAHO

NCD COMMISSION CHAIRS

Mr. Suleiman Bulbulia, Chair, Barbados National NCD Commission

Dr. Trevor Ferguson, Chair, Jamaica National NCD Commission

Dr. Jane Noel, Chair, Grenada National NCD Commission

CIVIL SOCIETY ORGANISATION PARTNERS

Dr. Vanessa White-Barrow, President, Caribbean Association of Nutritionist and Dieticians

Ms. Debbie Chen, Executive Director, Heart Foundation of Jamaica

Ms. Abi Begho, Founder and Programme Director, Lake Health and Wellbeing

Dr. Karen Sealey, Founder and Chair, Trinidad and Tobago NCD Alliance

Dr. Sonia Nixon, Chair, Grenada Cancer Society

Ms. Laura Tucker-Longsworth, Founder and Chair of the Belize Cancer Society, Former Speaker of the House of Assembly, Belize

Shannique Bowden, Executive Director, Jamaica Youth Advocacy Network

Ms. Janice Olliver-Creese, President, St Vincent and the Grenadines Diabetes & Hypertension Ass Inc

Ms. Juanita James, President, Antigua and Barbuda Diabetes Association

Dr. Nancy Charles Larco, Executive Director, Fondation Haïtienne de Diabète et de Maladies Cardiovasculaires, Haiti

Dr. Tamara Remy, President, St. Lucia Cancer Society

View/download the open letter here

[1] https://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/13/4/e065620

[2] https://iris.paho.org/bitstream/handle/10665.2/57989/PAHONMHRF230040_eng.pdf?sequence=1&isAllowed=y

The post Open Letter to the National Standards Bodies of CARICOM appeared first on Healthy Caribbean Coalition.

Octagonal warning labels help consumers #ActOnFacts and presenting science-based evidence in support of the octagonal warning label (OWL) contained within the Final Draft of the CARICOM Regional Standard for the Labelling of Pre-packaged Foods (FDCRS 5).

Read the press release for the webinar here.

The webinar was attended by over 200 participants from across the region.

Webinar Goal and Objectives

The goal of the webinar was to provide an update on the status of the Final Draft of the CARICOM Regional Standard for the Labelling of Pre-packaged Foods (FDCRS 5) which contains the octagonal front of package warning label and share evidence in support of octagonal warning labels as a key measure to catalyse the reshaping of food environments in the Caribbean.

The objectives of the webinar were:

1. To promote the campaign “Octagonal Warning Labels help consumers #ACTONFACTS ” in support of the Final Draft of the CARICOM Regional Standard for the Labelling of Pre-packaged Foods (FDCRS 5) which contains the OWL as defined by the PAHO nutrient profile model.
2. To increase public awareness of the detrimental impact of ultra-processed products high in sugars, fats and sodium and the role of the ‘high-in’ octagonal front of package warning labels (OWL) in promoting healthier food choices.
3. To provide policymakers and policy influencers with a comprehensive understanding of FOPWL, specifically OWL, and to present robust scientific evidence underpinning the use of OWL and the Pan American Health Organisation (PAHO) Nutrient Profile Model (NPM) to guide OWL thresholds.
4. To provide science-based evidence to correct misinformation about OWL including the false narrative that OWL negatively impacts trade and the economy.
5. To encourage both the public and policymakers support for OWL and the FDCRS-5.

Overall Moderator

Ms. Maisha Hutton
Executive Director
HCC

Partners

Sir Trevor Hassell
President
HCC

Dr. Anselm Hennis
Director, Department of NCDs
and Mental Health
PAHO

Dr. Lisa Indar
Director, Surveillance, Disease
Prevention and Control Division
CARPHA

Dr. Didacus Jules
Director General
OECS Commission

Mr. Pieter Bult
UNICEF
Representative to the
Eastern Caribbean Area

Panellists

Ms. Tamie Marie
Communication Consultant
HCC

Ms. Samantha Moitt
Chief Nutrition Officer,
Nutrition Unit
Ministry of Health,Wellness
and the Environment
Antigua and Barbuda

Mr. Luis Galicia
PAHO International Consultant
Sodium Reduction

Dr. Fabio da Silva Gomes
Advisor Nutrition and Physical
Activity
PAHO

Ms. Nicole Foster
Lecturer, Faculty of Law
and Head of Law
and Health Research Unit

Ms. Isabel Barbosa
Senior Associate
Adjunct Professor of Law
O’Neill Institute for National
and Global Health Law
Georgetown University
Law Center

Ms. Xarriah Nicholls
Youth Advocate
Person living with an NCD
Healthy Caribbean Youth

The post What Is Happening With Food Labels in CARICOM? appeared first on Healthy Caribbean Coalition.

Although some industry players propose alternative labelling options, with our people’s health on the line, we need the label that is backed by sound, scientific research; and the Octagonal Warning Label (OWL) is 9 TIMES more effective at helping us quickly, correctly and easily identify products that are high in sugars, sodium and fats than other labeling system.

THE OCTAGONAL WARNING LABEL IS AT THE CENTRE OF A WIDER STRATEGY!

The Octagonal Warning Label enables other healthy food policies because it clearly and effectively identifies products that are high in sugars, sodium and fats and, therefore, harmful to health of our families and children.

This means it makes it easier to design, implement and enforce healthy policies like:

• Regulating the sale and marketing of these unhealthy food products in and around schools, and school settings like youth sporting events
• Regulating the marketing of these foods to children
• Taxing unhealthy food products and subsidising healthy foods

So, the Octagonal Warning Label is a crucial launchpad for these policies that can protect our children and families, and also make it easier and more affordable for citizens to make healthy food choices.

THIS VOTE AND THESE POLICIES ARE MORE IMPORTANT THAN EVER!

Modern diets lack fresh, minimally processed food and are inundated with ultra- processed food products high in sugar, fats and salt which lead to our region’s biggest killers: obesity, diabetes, hypertension, high blood pressure and even some cancers.

With these ultra-processed food products being made easily accessible, attractively marketed, cheap and convenient, it’s more important than ever to have clear facts about the food we buy and consume.

That clarity can go a long way toward helping us make healthier food choices and protect our families and children from the harmful results of unhealthy options.

It is a step toward rebuilding the health of our population one family, one meal, one choice at a time!

PEOPLE LIVING WITH DIET-RELATED DISEASES NEED CLEAR NUTRITIONAL FACTS!

Everyone should to be able to correctly and easily identify foods high in sugar, sodium and fats.

But, for people living with living with diabetes, hypertension, high blood pressure, obesity and even some cancers, clarity and honesty can actually help to control their conditions, and ultimately save their lives by helping them make better, healthier choices in the long-term!

IT’S JUST EASIER TO MAKE HEALTHY CHOICES WHEN THE FACTS ARE CLEAR!

Appealing and persuasive package designs, clever marketing and misleading claims on packaging, and confusing nutrition labels can often lead to unhealthy food products being mistaken as “good for us”. Consumers need help to combat these tactics.

This is why we need a label that provides clear facts that let us quickly, correctly and easily identify unhealthy food products.

CAMPAIGN AT A GLANCE

Launch Date: Monday | 25 SEPTEMBER, 2023

Locale: Regional/Caribbean

Type: Social Media Campaign

Purpose: To advocate and build support for the current final draft regional standard for labelling pre-packaged foods, which includes the octagonal front-of-package warning labelling system.

In October 2023, CARICOM countries voted on whether to approve the Octagonal Warning Labels or not. Thanks to everyone who signed the petition in support of the Octagonal Warning Label!

1470

People Signed (including Caribbean Academics, Researchers and Health Practitioners)

RELATED RESOURCES

The post Octagonal Warning Labels Help Consumers Act on Facts appeared first on Healthy Caribbean Coalition.