title: Nutrition labelling is a trade policy issue: lessons from an analysis of specific trade concerns at the World Trade Organization.
abstract: Interpretive nutrition labels provide simplified nutrient-specific text and/or symbols on the front of pre-packaged foods, to encourage and enable consumers to make healthier choices. This type of labelling has been proposed as part of a comprehensive policy response to the global epidemic of non-communicable diseases. However, regulation of nutrition labelling falls under the remit of not just the health sector but also trade. Specific Trade Concerns have been raised at the World Trade Organization's Technical Barriers to Trade Committee regarding interpretive nutrition labelling initiatives in Thailand, Chile, Indonesia, Peru and Ecuador. This paper presents an analysis of the discussions of these concerns. Although nutrition labelling was identified as a legitimate policy objective, queries were raised regarding the justification of the specific labelling measures proposed, and the scientific evidence for effectiveness of such measures. Concerns were also raised regarding the consistency of the measures with international standards. Drawing on policy learning theory, we identified four lessons for public health policy makers, including: strategic framing of nutrition labelling policy objectives; pro-active policy engagement between trade and health to identify potential trade issues; identifying ways to minimize potential 'practical' trade concerns; and engagement with the Codex Alimentarius Commission to develop international guidance on interpretative labelling. This analysis indicates that while there is potential for trade sector concerns to stifle innovation in nutrition labelling policy, care in how interpretive nutrition labelling measures are crafted in light of trade commitments can minimize such a risk and help ensure that trade policy is coherent with nutrition action.
authors.affiliation: Menzies Centre for Health Policy, University of Sydney, NSW, Australia.
authors.forename: Anne Marie
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Thow
authors.affiliation: Centre for Food Policy, City University London, UK.
authors.forename: Alexandra
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Jones
authors.affiliation: The George Institute for Global Health, Camperdown, NSW, Australia.
authors.forename: Corinna
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Hawkes
authors.affiliation: Menzies Centre for Health Policy, University of Sydney, NSW, Australia.
authors.forename: Iqra
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Ali
authors.affiliation: School of Epidemiology, Public Health and Preventive Medicine, University of Ottawa, Canada.
authors.forename: Ronald
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Labonté
mesh_terms: D019649:Food Industry / Q000592:standards; D005515:Food Labeling / Q000592:standards*; D006293:Health Promotion; D006801:Humans; D018673:Nutrition Policy; D011634:Public Health