At the recent CAOBISCO (Confectionery and Biscuit Manufacturers' Association) annual meeting in Brussels, representatives from confectionery producers such as Mars, Ferrero, Mondelez, and Nestlé, along with representatives from the European Commission, discussed the role of the confectionery industry in addressing health concerns. The European Consumer Organisation (BEUC) stated that consumers expect confectionery companies to restrict their marketing to children.

Tackling Obesity

According to the World Health Organization, one-third of children in Europe are overweight or obese, consuming far more sugar, salt, and saturated fat than recommended. This issue is equally significant and requires attention in other regions.

Restricting Advertising

Data from the American Psychological Association indicates that children's exposure to television advertising significantly influences their unhealthy food choices, a key factor contributing to obesity.

Data shows that children who watch more television consume more total calories, fast food, and sugary drinks.

Therefore, BEUC urges confectionery and beverage producers to reduce added sugar, salt, and saturated fat, while increasing the intake of fruits, vegetables, nuts, and healthy proteins. For confectionery manufacturers, the first step is to reduce market reach.

In 2010, CAOBISCO encouraged member companies to join the EU pledge to ban advertising to children under 12. Mars, Ferrero, Mondelez, and Nestlé all declared their adherence to this pledge.

Joining the EU Pledge

The EU pledge has limitations. Children are still exposed to numerous messages promoting unhealthy foods, such as confectionery and snacks with cartoon characters on the packaging.

The advertising of EU pledge members accounts for 80% of the EU food and beverage industry. Pauline Castres, BEUC's food policy officer, stated that confectionery manufacturers should reflect on health issues, and government agencies should play a role in setting targets.

Currently, food companies voluntarily join the EU pledge, and various food companies have implemented improved policies targeting the children's market.

Stricter Regulations on the Horizon

The UK Advertising Standards Authority (CAP) is introducing policies to completely ban advertising of high-fat, high-salt, and high-sugar (HFSS) foods, extending current requirements for non-broadcast media, such as online platforms.

While many member companies have restructured their products, adjusting packaging sizes remains a common measure among large companies.

Controlling Package Sizes

Castres strongly supports CAOBISCO's proposal to reduce confectionery packaging sizes but points out that smaller packages should also be priced accordingly to be affordable. She stated, "Smaller packages can cost more than twice as much as other sizes, which is unaffordable for low-income families."

Furthermore, Castres believes that the serving size indicated on labels should accurately reflect what consumers actually consume.

Sugar Content Labeling

BEUC supports the EU's legislation on "Food Information to Consumers (FIC)", mandating that food companies provide nutritional information from December 13, 2016.

Such labeling won't be a major issue for confectionery companies; consumers won't be shocked to find sugar in chocolate. It may have a greater impact on other categories, such as when consumers discover high sugar content in products marketed as healthy, like breakfast cereals or granola bars.

In the US, Mars Wrigley supports labeling added sugar, and the National Confectioners Association suggests further changes to product nutrition labels.

BEUC supports the introduction of a traffic light labeling system in the EU. Castres stated that traffic light labeling is not solely focused on obesity and will help consumers identify high levels of sugar and saturated fat in products marketed as healthy.