Experts take aim at SACN, sugar reduction and reformulation at summit
The summit, held in London on 9th July, will explore and debate the findings from the recently published Scientific Advisory Committee on Nutrition (SACN) report on carbohydrates, which among other things recommends that UK consumers slash sugar intakes by half.
The event promises to provide a ‘neutral and balanced’ platform for policy makers and stakeholders within the health, scientific and food industries to come together and explore evidence-based research, and debate whether sugar reduction should be a health priority.
A final panel debate will tackle critical issues including whether a sugar tax is a viable solution and whether health policy objectives can be achieved through voluntary initiatives.
Speaking to FoodNavigator ahead of the summit, Professor Jack Winkler previously said he believes the launch of Coca-Cola Life in the UK signals a new era in sugar reduction and shows that reformulation is key to tackling public health issues surrounding food.
“Education, taxation and regulation are the main instruments of public health policy, but in the context of food, they have proved either politically ineffective or economically unfeasible...the most probable instrument is reformulation,” he told us.
The not-for-profit event will see key policy makers and stakeholders including Dr Alison Tedstone, director of diet and obesity at Public Health England, Professor Susan Jebb, chair of the UK Responsibility Deal, and experts including Jim Mann, Graham MacGregor, Robert Lustig and Luc Tappy come together to present and debate the latest evidence on sugar intakes.
FoodNavigator will be bringing you the latest from the event as it happens, and will also be looking to put your questions to experts in the debate. Please contact FoodNavigator editor Nathan Gray with your questions.
