What's happening with food labels in CARICOM?
Friday, October 6, 2023
by Healthy Caribbean Coalition
THE ROLE OF OCTAGONAL WARNING LABELS IN TRANSFORMING THE HEALTH LANDSCAPE.

On Wednesday 4 October, 2023 the HCC in partnership with PAHO, CARPHA, the OECS Commission, UNICEF and the Caribbean Public Health Law Forum, brought together key regional stakeholders providing an update on the status of front of package nutrition labels in CARICOM including: promoting the new campaign entitled 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).

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.