{"id":4492,"date":"2022-03-07T13:41:00","date_gmt":"2022-03-07T13:41:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.fooddrinkeurope.eu\/?p=4492"},"modified":"2022-04-01T13:46:28","modified_gmt":"2022-04-01T12:46:28","slug":"why-i-care-about-food-reformulation-and-you-should-too","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.fooddrinkeurope.eu\/why-i-care-about-food-reformulation-and-you-should-too\/","title":{"rendered":"Why I care about food reformulation (and you should too!)"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
Food and drink companies have been proactively investing in food reformulation and innovation for many years. We as consumers are truly driving the demand.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
At the beginning of this year, I joined FoodDrinkEurope as Manager Nutrition & Health. Little did I know that food and drink companies are doing so much on product reformulation and innovation. Not only are these voluntary initiatives being taken on by companies, but increasingly more EU Member States sign agreements with national food and drink industry federations to improve the nutritional composition of food and drink products. Some examples can be found here<\/strong><\/a> and here.<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n When I go to the supermarket, it is refreshing to regularly spot improved products on the shelfs. But I do always wonder why companies reformulate their products. Does it have to do with functionality, palatability, or something else? I would like to dig deeper into this topic and, specifically, explain why\u00a0food reformulation is essential to maintain balanced, nutritious, and sustainable diets. Let\u2019s first start off with the basics of\u00a0what and why?<\/p>\n\n\n\n Reformulation is essentially a way to redesign the composition of food and drink products with the ultimate goal to enhance the nutrient density.<\/p>\n\n\n\n This can either be done by changing an existing recipe or by developing a new innovative product. Usually, the objective is to decrease salt, sugars, and fat content and to increase fibre, wholegrain, fruit and vegetable content to help consumers better balance their diets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Having a balanced diet is not only contributing to improved physical health, but it is also supporting our mental health. Many studies have shown the positive relationship between a healthy diet and our mental well-being. Every now and then, we all want to indulge in some of our favourite foods, but\u00a0to sustain a healthy lifestyle in the long run, food reformulation can help. In fact, by optimising the nutritional content, food and drink companies are trying to help consumers to\u00a0live healthier lives, while still being able to\u00a0enjoy our favourite foods and drinks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Reformulation is high on the EU political agenda. With the EU Farm to Fork Strategy launched back in May 2020, the European Commission is aiming to make a\u00a0shift towards more sustainable, healthier and more balanced diets and lifestyles.\u00a0The\u00a0Food Information to Consumers Regulation<\/strong><\/a>\u00a0is currently being revised to propose harmonised EU-wide front-of-pack nutritional labelling. In addition to the policy developments at EU and international level, there are also proactive initiatives being undertaken at industry level.<\/p>\n\n\n\n At FoodDrinkEurope, we acknowledge the\u00a0important role and responsibility of food and drinks producers in promoting more balanced diets and healthy lifestyles. In this respect, we reiterate our support and commitment towards developing and implementing initiatives to address today\u2019s public health challenges in the area of nutrition.<\/p>\n\n\n\n