CPME Rapporteur: Dr Patrick O’SULLIVAN (IE)
CPME Secretariat: Mr Markus KUJAWA

The health impacts of unhealthy diets and a lack of physical activity is changing disease patterns and contributing to the rapid increase of non-communicable diseases, posing new challenges to doctors and healthcare systems. CPME’s focus is on preventing disease by promoting healthier choices. We also call on policy-makers to follow the evidence-base for creating a regulatory framework which ensures the best possible information to consumers.

CPME is a founding participant in the EU Platform for Action on Diet, Physical Activity and Health, which was created by the European Commission in 2005. We have since made a series of commitments to the Platform, which saw the implementation of activities dedicated to raising awareness for the importance of doctors’ engagement in combating obesity and promoting good practices in encouraging the up-take of healthier lifestyles.

Food labelling is an essential component of the adequate provision of information to consumers and may facilitate lifestyle decisions as well as ensure adequate nutrition. For this reason, CPME has also been involved in the topic of food information to consumers as nutrition is an essential lifestyle measure of prevention.

Since 2016, CPME has been a stakeholder of the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA).

Adopted CPME policies include:

• CPME Policy on Trans Fats, April 2018
• CPME response to the public consultation on the initiative to limit industrial trans fats intakes in the EU, December 2017
• CPME Policy on Obesity, April 2017
• CPME Response to the public consultation of the Youth Policy Cooperation in the EU, October 2016
• CPME Position on the Proposal for a Directive amending Audio-Visual Media Services Directive 2010/13/EU, July 2016
• CPME ‘Health Village’ Toolbox, January 2016
• CPME Commitment to the EU Platform on Diet, Physical Activity and Health: Mapping national guidelines on the promotion of healthy lifestyles in primary care, October 2015
• CPME Commitments to the EU Platform on Diet, Physical Activity and Health – 2011-2013, September 2011
• CPME reaction to the EU Commission’s White Paper on “A Strategy for Europe on Nutrition, Overweight and Obesity-Related Issues”, March 2008
• CPME Policy on Labelling: competitiveness, consumer information and better regulation for the EU – Response to a DG Sanco Consultative Document, June 2006
• CPME contribution to the EU Commission “Green paper” consultation on the fight against obesity in Europe, March 2006
• CPME 2006 action plan regarding obesity / Plan d’action du CPME concernant l’obésité, September 2005
• CPME views on obesity / Point de vue du CPME sur l’obésité, September 2004