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Annual Review 2008: Taking action on the health of the nation

Our priority for 2008 was ensuring the successful roll-out of industry's GDA nutrition labelling scheme – supported by a major consumer education campaign.

Having achieved critical mass in the UK, we also ensured that we shared our best practice with colleagues across Europe. Today GDA labelling is widely used in all 27 EU Member States and the success of our voluntary approach to nutrition information was clearly recognised in the European Commission's proposal for a new Food Information Regulation (which backs a GDA-style scheme).

Reformulation is another key aspect of the health and wellbeing debate. During the year we focused our communications efforts on promoting the genuine leadership shown by our sector in changing the recipes of leading food and drink brands so that they are lower in sugar, fat or salt. This was one of the key themes of a high-profile event we ran in November 2008 in conjunction with the Government's Foresight unit to mark the first anniversary of publication of its far-reaching report on obesity.

Workplace wellbeing has been the other important area of focus for us – and one that is now moving up the political agenda. We are playing a key role in a pan-industry campaign developed by Business in the Community. As part of that work, we launched to widespread acclaim a 'Healthy Eating Toolkit' providing a no-nonsense guide for employers keen to act on this important aspect of workplace wellbeing.

All of our work has taken place against the backdrop of the new challenges set by the Government's Obesity Strategy, which launched in January 2008. By developing a good working relationship with the Department of Health, we have ensured industry's voice is heard on all aspects of this strategy.

We have also welcomed the Government's practical and positive Change4Life social marketing programme, which aims to work in partnership with industry and other stakeholders to help consumers to eat a more balanced diet and increase their levels of physical activity.

The Conservatives have been active on the public health agenda – unveiling the concept of a Responsibility Deal between Government and business that envisages a joint approach to tackling issues such as obesity. We have been working closely with the Conservative health team and its independent Public Health Commission to ensure that our sector's efforts to improve the health of the nation are understood.

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