EFSA Launches Public Consultation on Food-Based Dietary Guidelines

The main conclusion of the Panel is that it is not feasible to establish detailed and effective FBDG which could be used at the EU level as diet-related public health priorities may differ between countries.

14/08/08 EFSA’s Panel on Dietetic Products, Nutrition and Allergies (NDA) has launched a public consultation on its draft scientific opinion on Food-Based dietary guidelines (FBDG). The Panel’s draft opinion provides scientific advice to the European Commission and Member States on how to approach the translation of general nutrient-based recommendations into specific food consumption recommendations, while taking into account the diversity of the European Union population and different countries.
 
The main conclusion of the Panel is that it is not feasible to establish detailed and effective FBDG which could be used at the EU level as diet-related public health priorities may differ between countries. FBDG must also take into account wide disparities in dietary habits, due to cultural differences in eating patterns and the varying availability of food products across Europe.
 
Therefore the NDA Panel decided to focus its opinion on the scientific process underlying the development of FBDG. According to the opinion, eating habits have a significant impact on public health, particularly through the risk of obesity and diet-related chronic diseases, such as cardiovascular diseases, cancer and diabetes. The Panel recommends that Member States analyse country-specific diet-related health problems in order to adapt their food-based dietary guidance to the needs of their population. FBDG should also be tested to ensure their effectiveness and positive impact on overall dietary balance.
 
Specific recommendations for the intake of individual nutrients or substances in food-based terms can help consumers in making healthy dietary choices, and could be the basis for communications on nutrition and diet-related topics to the public. According to the Panel, Food-Based Dietary Guidelines should also be integrated with other policies related to health promotion, for instance the encouragement of daily physical activity. The Panel recommended that Member States take a multidisciplinary approach in developing these guidelines. The early involvement of stakeholders is recommended to promote the acceptance of messages.
 
The open consultation launched aims to gather any new scientific evidence which could contribute to this work. The consultation will be open until 15 December 2008.
 
The NDA Panel had previously organised a colloquium on the Development of Food-Based Dietary Guidelines (FBDG) in March 2006, when over 60 participants discussed the best scientific approaches for the development of FBDG.

Meanwhile EFSA has also launched a public consultation on its draft general principles for establishing Dietary Reference Values. EFSA is consulting on its draft opinion in order to ensure that the Panel takes into account all available data and benefits from the experience of public health bodies in the European Union (EU) and worldwide in setting Dietary Reference Values for the different nutrients. The main objective of nutrition recommendations is to ensure a diet that provides energy and nutrients for optimal growth, development, function and health during the whole life.
 
EFSA is currently establishing EU Dietary Reference Values (formerly referred to as Population Reference Intakes or sometimes called Recommended Daily Allowances) for energy, macro- and micronutrients. EFSA has been asked by the European Commission to review and if necessary to update the earlier recommendations of the Scientific Committee for Food in order to ensure that Community action in the area of nutrition is underpinned by the latest scientific advice.
 
EFSA will establish the new Dietary Reference Values in stages. Work will begin first on energy, water and macro-nutrients (carbohydrates, fats and proteins) which are expected to be completed by 2009. Work on micronutrients, which are nutrients that the body needs in small quantities, such as iron, zinc and selenium, will start in mid-2009. All draft opinions on dietary reference values will be subject to public consultation before their finalisation in line with EFSA’s policy on openness and transparency.