Report on the regional workshop on regulation of the marketing of unhealthy food products. Washington, D.C., 15-17 October 2019

Abstract

The regulation of marketing is one of the most cost-effective measures for reducing the demand for unhealthy products, including ultra-processed products. Nevertheless, in the majority of countries in the world and the Region of the Americas, such policies are absent or lack rigorous implementation, monitoring, and compliance. During the 56th Pan American Health Organization Directing Council, the midterm review of the Plan of Action for the Prevention of Obesity in Children and Adolescents was presented. The review emphasized that advances in the plan’s execution have been achieved. However, the application of regulatory measures to restrict the promotion and advertising of sugar-sweetened beverages, fast food, and other unhealthy food products has been adopted by only four of the Region’s countries–– much lower than the goal established by the Organization’s Member States. Although most countries still lack specific laws and regulations to restrict the promotion and advertising of food products, many have regulatory frameworks to protect children and adolescents, ensure consumers' rights, and prevent unfair marketing practices. These frameworks can contribute to many countries’ restrictions on promotion and advertising of unhealthy products, including food products, and establish and strengthen the specific laws and regulations needed to effectively eliminate the advertising and promotion of unhealthy food products. This report presents the experiences of countries in the Region when taking action in this field and the paths that could be outlined to strengthen existing regulatory frameworks and develop additional needed frameworks.