Agreement to reduce fat and sugar in food products

By decreasing fat and sugar in processed foods, the amount of calories Belgians consume will be reduced by an average of 5% by the end of 2017, compared to 2012. That is the goal of an agreement that federal health minister Maggie De Block has signed with food industry federation Fevia and retail industry federation Comeos.

The focus of the Balanced Food Covenant is on a reduction of the levels of sugar and fat in food products in supermarkets, restaurants and other food-service outlets. The composition of products will be modified as well, such as by adding more fibres. Offering smaller portions and more information to consumers is also part of the covenant.

There are separate targets for different categories of products. The local food sector has committed to decreasing the amount of sugar in soft drinks by 5% by the end of 2017 and by 10% by 2020. Dairy products should by the end of 2017 contain 3% less added sugars, and by 2020 8% less. Breakfast cereals will contain 4% less sugar and 5% more fibres by 2020.

The covenant follows up on the 2012 agreement, which successfully reduced amount of salt in food products. That agreement has led to a 10% reduction in the consumption of salt.