Report of the first meeting of the WHO Sugar and Calorie Reduction Network. London, United Kingdom,19–20 October 2022

Overview

The WHO European Office for Prevention and Control of Noncommunicable Diseases is engaging in several initiatives addressing healthy and sustainable diets, guided by experts from across the WHO European Region. This report sets out presentations and discussions that took place at the first meeting of the new Member State-led WHO Sugar and Calorie Reduction Network, held as a hybrid event on 19 and 20 October 2022 and in partnership with the United Kingdom’s Department of Health and Social Care. It was a chance to share learning across five key areas: fiscal levers; industry benchmarks and transparency; the out-of-home food sector; marketing and advertising; and front of-pack labelling. The meeting identified knowledge gaps and highlighted opportunities for Member State research and action to foster positive change by the food industry. These opportunities will be supported by the WHO Regional Office for Europe through working groups and through the Network.