IDF co-signs comments to WHO guideline on fiscal policies to promote healthy diets

08 February 2023

In December 2022, the World Health Organization (WHO) launched a draft guideline on fiscal policies to promote healthy diets. This guideline supports Member States in creating food environments for healthy diets and improved nutrition to reduce diet-related noncommunicable diseases (NCDs).

The deadline for civil society to submit comments to this draft guideline was 3 February 2023.

IDF with 16 organisations working in the NCD space (NCD AllianceThe George Institute for Global HealthWorld Cancer Research Fund InternationalWorld Obesity FederationAfrica NCDs NetworkCameroon Civil Society NCD AllianceCancer Research UKGhana NCD AllianceHealthy Caribbean CoalitionHealthy India AllianceHRIDAYInternational Association for Dental ResearchNorwegian Cancer SocietyReconciliation and Development AssociationResolve to Save Lives and Walé Action Santé Population) submitted a joint response:

  • Welcoming the recognition that Member States may benefit from further guidance to establish or strengthen fiscal policies as part of a broader package of policies to promote healthy diets;
  • Requesting clearer and stronger policy recommendations on fiscal policies beyond taxes on sugar-sweetened beverages;
  • Recommending definitions for the terms “healthy diet”, “sugar-sweetened beverages”, “non-alcoholic beverages” and “subsidy”.

Read the joint submission here.

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