Developing Countries Reject Science
Behind UN Strategy to Combat Obesity

A group of developing countries rejected the science driving the United Nations' effort to fight obesity worldwide, saying the dietary recommendations are based on flawed research and "not worthy of serious consideration."

The scientific report underpinning the global obesity strategy recommends that governments strive to limit their people's intake of sugar and fat while encouraging increased consumption of fruits and vegetables.

The developing countries said the report was shoddy and urged better nutrition education, not arbitrary limits of specific types of food. Their argument mirrors what sugar and other food industry representatives contend.

The report "labels various food items as good and bad. It concludes, without any scientific evidence, that bad food is the main cause of chronic diseases. This arbitrary conclusion, apart from its shaky scientific foundation, is indeed prejudicial," a Colombian delegation told the UN's Food and Agriculture Organization, speaking on behalf of the G-77 group of developing countries and China.

The agency, together with the World Health Organization, is building an unprecedented strategy aimed at reducing obesity-linked diseases, such as diabetes, heart disease and cancer. The scientific report behind the strategy is considered the most significant statement in more than a decade on what the world should be doing about its diet.

The strategy, to be finalized in May, was launched in response to evidence that illnesses caused by bad diet and lack of exercise are no longer just the preserve of the western world.

It calls on governments to push manufacturers to cut fat, sugar and salt content and to change advertising and tax policy to promote healthier eating.

The International Obesity Task Force, an independent expert group whose chair headed the scientific panel, stood by the findings and said the criticism was aimed at delaying adoption of the plan.

The United States, which has been accused of kowtowing to the food industry, welcomed the strategy at a UN meeting last month, but asked for an additional month to allow governments to examine and comment on it before it is adopted.

The objections Monday mark the first time developing countries have publicly attacked the recommendations.

The Colombian delegation said the G-77 was open to dietary recommendations provided they are "science-based  . . . causing no harm to the prevailing food production system, food processing and food trading practices."

"Regretfully, it is the view of the G-77 that the  . . . report fails the test of scientific rigor, objectivity and fairness," the group said. "Any uniform or 'one size fits all' diet is an illusory concept and not worthy of serious consideration."

It urged the FAO to seek the opinions of member countries and not to take any further action until responses are in.

A particularly contentious recommendation advises people to keep their sugar intake to less than 10 per cent of calories - sparking concerns of harm to sugar producers and the food industry.

But the FAO said sugar producers could come out ahead by selling their product in countries where consumption is still below the 10 per cent mark.

It also noted the dietary recommendations could help fruit and vegetable production, particularly in developing countries that can switch from sugar crops. The global plan advises that countries aim to get their people eating at least 14 ounces a day.

Outside the meeting, Don Mitchell, an economist at the World Bank, said the increase in fruit and vegetable production could more than offset any loss in sugar production.

The FAO said the recommendations were unlikely to provoke an immediate global response.

"The evidence to date indicates that - apart from the experience of food safety scares - dietary recommendations made in the past to reduce intake of sugar and fat, for example, have had only a limited impact on consumption," the agency said.