Dáil Éireann Debate, Monday - 11 September 2017
903. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health when his Department's new voluntary code of practice for food marketing, promotion and sponsorship will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37195/17]
View answer'A Healthy Weight for Ireland', the Obesity Policy and Action Plan (OPAP), was launched last September under the Healthy Ireland agenda. The OPAP covers a ten year period up to 2025 and aims to reverse obesity trends, prevent health complications and reduce the overall burden for individuals, families, the health system, and the wider society and economy.
I wish to emphasise that every sector of our society has a role in reducing the burden of obesity and the OPAP clearly acknowledges this.
The OPAP prescribes 'Ten Steps Forward' and under each step there are a number of actions, some of which have been identified for early implementation.
Step 3 is to Secure appropriate support from the commercial sector to play its part in obesity prevention. Under this step, a Code of Practice for food and drink promotion, marketing, product placement and sponsorship has been developed by a working group and it will be published shortly.
