Sugar Reduction Summit to Explore Next Steps in Sugar Reduction Policy
11 Nov 2015 --- With the PHE evidence pack finally published, The Sugar Reduction Summit returns again this year, bringing together industry, public health and the scientific and health and wellness communities to explore the future of sugar reduction policy in the UK and the role of sweetness and sweeteners.
The Sugar Reduction Summit will take place on Monday 7th December at The Royal Society of Medicine in London. This year, the focus will be on Sugar, Sweetness and Obesity, with a high profile line-up of speakers including Dr Alison Tedstone, Dr France Bellisle, Prof Adam Drewnowski, Dr Julie Menella, and Prof Susan Swithers exploring the impact and importance of sweetness in diets and debating whether sweetness actually matters if calories are controlled.
The amount of sugar being consumed has been subject to intense scrutiny in the past 24 months, with manufacturers and retailers under increasing pressure to introduce initiatives to curb consumption. Lobbyists are adding further pressure suggesting that it’s not just sugar which needs to be reduced, but sweetness - which has significant implications for Industry. The Sugar Reduction Summit will examine the science and evidence to explore how important a factor sweetness is in health terms, if calories are managed, and the impact it has on appetite control, energy balance and, ultimately, obesity.
The afternoon sessions will focus on industry innovation in sugar reduction, including a look at reformulation activities already underway in industry and new innovations coming through to facilitate a reduction in sugar without reducing the sweetness of foods. Nick Southgate, an experienced Behavioural Economist will present on how to influence consumer choice and how to sell reformulated foods effectively. An afternoon panel debate will see industry luminaries including Ian Wright of the FDF, Gavin Partington from the British Soft Drinks Association, Andrea Inchausti from the British Retail Consortium and Sue Davies from Which? debating the role of industry in reducing sugar consumption and discussing the impact of a potential sugar tax and alternative strategies.
The Summit will also focus on next steps for Public Health, with Bryony Sinclair from World Cancer Research Fund presenting evidence of effective international policies, Derek Yach from The Vitality Institute providing a though-leadership piece on how industry and public health might better work together toward solutions and Professor Susan Jebb, Professor of Diet and Population Health exploring future policy options and the role for sweetness and sweeteners.
This event is unique in bringing together Public Health and Industry and putting science and evidence centre-stage throughout the debate. It provides an invaluable and timely opportunity for industry to engage on this important issue and discuss future initiatives and their impact on industry.
Other key topics include:
• What is the future of sugar reduction policy, and what role for sweetness and sweeteners?
• What does the data tell us about consumer response to media focus on sugar - and does behaviour match attitude?
• What does scientific evidence tell us about the impact of sweetness on appetite and energy control?
• What role for sweeteners in weight management?
• What is the impact of sweetness itself on appetite and energy balance– does it matter, if calories are managed?
• What innovations are industry taking to reduce sugar?
• How do you sell reformulated foods?
