KINGSTON, Jamaica (JIS) — The Government is moving to improve food labelling as part of the national focus on reducing non-communicable diseases (NCDs) and promoting healthy lifestyle habits.

“Several comprehensive activities will be implemented to address food labelling and the food environment,” said Health Minister, Dr Christopher Tufton.

“These include standardised, understandable nutrition labels on all packaged retailed grocery foods and beverages,” he pointed out.

The minister’s remarks came in a speech delivered by Director, Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) and Injuries Prevention, Dr Tamu Davidson, at the launch of Heart Month at the Spanish Court Hotel in New Kingston on Tuesday.

The ministry, last year, launched a National Food Industry Task Force to make recommendations for healthy food options. The work of the task force is focused on food labelling, marketing and reformulation, and advocacy and communication.

In addition to initiatives being undertaken locally, he informed that last year, CARICOM, in collaboration with the Bureau of Standards Jamaica, and Suriname, commenced the development of standardised food labelling for Caribbean member states.

“Consultations have already commenced with key stakeholders and the food industry, and so we have been working not just at the national level but also at the regional level to improve the standards in this area,” he said.

Dr Tufton said the measures being undertaken are critical in combating NCDs, which have emerged as the leading cause of morbidity and mortality in Jamaica over the last three decades or more. The risk factors for NCDs include physical inactivity, unhealthy diet, and harmful use of alcohol and tobacco.

Quoting statistics from the Jamaica Health and Lifestyle Survey 2007/8, Dr Tufton said 25.3 per cent of Jamaicans are obese.

“If we look at both obesity and overweight, some 51.7 per cent of Jamaicans 15 to 74 years old fall in that combined category. Obesity prevalence rates are highest in the 35 to 44 years old age group and accounts for 33 per cent,” he noted.

He said the survey further revealed that more females than males are overweight or obese.

“Among the 15 to 74-year-olds, the study found that 37.7 per cent of females were obese versus 12.4 per cent of males. Additionally, approximately 70 per cent of females had increased waist circumferences versus 19.6 per cent males of the same age, in the 15-74 age… category,” he said. Dr Tufton also noted that obesity and overweight have increased among students aged 13 to 15 years over the last five years, with more boys being obese than girls.

Executive Director, Heart Foundation of Jamaica, Deborah Chen, said partnerships are critical in promoting healthier lifestyles.

She expressed the hope “that the food industry will be considering reformulation and looking at more healthy food products as we continue our drive to reduce obesity in Jamaica”

Heart Month is being observed in February under the theme ‘Healthy Nutrition: Know Your Labels’.

Activities are being coordinated by the Heart Foundation of Jamaica and include a medical symposium on February 27; Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) Day on February 24; screenings at several health centres; and outdoor broadcasts.