Annual Review 2009: Leading from the front

FDF: Steered by our members

By Fiona Dawson, Managing Director, Mars Chocolate UK

Our priority for 2009 was ensuring that key decision makers in the debates about health and wellbeing were better informed about the positive response industry has made to society's concerns about issues such as obesity.

During the year we published a report on reformulation – dubbed 'Recipe for Change' – which was launched by Public Health Minister Gillian Merron at our annual Parliamentary Reception; we continued our efforts to promote the importance of industry acting as exemplars in the workplace and supported a campaign co-ordinated by Business in the Community; and we maintained the momentum behind our campaign for nutrition labelling based on Guideline Daily Amounts.

The debate on labelling has now moved to Europe, where negotiations are underway on an EU-wide Food Information Regulation. Nutrition labelling is a core part of that regulatory proposal – and we ensured that our experiences in the UK have positively influenced the EU discussions.

Although the health policy arena remains challenging in the UK, we are encouraged by the constructive dialogue we are having with Government. The launch of the Change4Life social marketing campaign by the Department of Health has demonstrated the value of partnerships with industry and many FDF members have supported this groundbreaking initiative.

Fiona chairs FDF's Health and Wellbeing Steering Group