The event was attended by experts from several European Union countries - Croatia, Latvia, Romania and Slovenia. Over 50 participants from the countries members of the SEE Health Network attended and participated in an intensive experience exchange, learning and defining the future concerted actions of a new SEE Health Network to prevent and control noncommunicable diseases.
The Workshop reviewed in depth the WHO Recommendations and the EU Documents which stress the importance of the negative serious effects on health of excessive salt intake and the rationale used in setting limits for the daily intake of salt (sodium chloride.
The
presentations by experts from the EU Member States and participants from the
countries of the SEEHN showed the large variety of approaches used to tackle
the problem, both from the political (administrative) and practical points of
view. However in essentially all cases the Ministries of Health and Agriculture
are the main actors with the food industry and very often consumer organizations.
Concern
was expressed at the meeting of the relatively low level of impact of public
health views, both at the EU level and in the countries of the SEEHN into the
labeling approaches (food claims) as compared with other actors, taking into
account the concept of Health in All Policies.
Based
on the above the issue of a common approach to labeling of salt (focus on NaCl)
in foods is urgent for the countries of the SEEHN in view of the obligation of the EU Member
States to implement at national level labeling in conformity the respective EU Directive.
A good understanding of approaches used in the EU and eventual difficulties encountered
would be of considerable help to the countries of the SEEHN. The SEEHN is
requested to undertake appropriate steps, including at the political level, to
speed up this understanding and thus help the harmonization of of a specific TAIEX
labeling in the SEEHN countries with the measures taken by the EU Member
States, including possibly through the organization of a specific TAIEX
workshop.
Salt
(NaCl) intake. Full agreement as to the requirement to have more data, possibly
harmonized, on their daily intake of NaCl by the population of the Region
(including at national and sub-national levels to help develop relevant
measures to tackle the problem of excessive NaCl intake, at their appropriate
level.
Close
cooperation with media to promote discussion
and knowledge of this issue to the population at large, and at the
community level, and working at the same time at promoting this knowledge in
schools – this is of foremost importance (cooperation between public health and
the educators.
Sampling
methodology at Regional level for comparison purposes would be beneficial,
using, if possible, the approach used at the EU level.
Human
resources in each country to collect and assess data are scares. Cooperation in
the Region is essential as is the cooperation with the EU countries.On the basis of the above the following DRAFT DECISION is proposed a draft Decision to be submitted to the 32nd Plenary Meeting of the SEE Health Network, Pogorica, 27-28 November for endorsement.
