Measures to reduce sugar, fat, and salt content of food and beverages in selected European countries

Abstract

Abstract Introduction Improving food environments to promote healthy diets is a core element of many nutrition and health policies. Government-driven attempts at achieving such improvements comprise mandatory and voluntary measures to reduce the content of sugar, fat, and salt in food and beverages. Here we provide an overview of the different measures taken in selected European countries. Methods A systematic internet search for ongoing or planned national reduction measures in each of the three categories of taxation, legal limits/bans, and self-commitments was conducted for 19 European countries. Core characteristics of each measure, including evaluations thereof, were extracted and summarized. Results The measures varied in, e.g., the nutrients, product groups, and sectors addressed (manufacturing, retail, out-of-home), the timeframe, and the target values. Taxation (15 countries) mainly concerned sweetened beverages, with tax levels mostly depending on the sugar content. Independent evaluations concluded that the tax introduction had led to the sugar content being reduced as well as consumer demand shifted towards lower-sugar options. Six countries had legal limits for the salt content in bread (limits between 1.3 g and 2 g/100 g bread), and nine countries set legal limits for sugar, fat, and salt in food or meals or vending bans for products high in these nutrients in food service for the public sector. The limited evaluations of compliance with the upper limits were ambivalent. Voluntary commitments (12 countries) mainly concerned the reduction of salt and sugar. Independent studies and monitoring results on the achievement of the agreements showed mixed results. Conclusions National measures to reduce sugar, fat, and salt in food and drinks varied in content and depth, and thus in their likely ability to contribute to a healthier food environment. More comprehensive monitoring and evaluation is needed to better assess the effectiveness of the different approaches.