Food-Based Dietary Guidelines – development of a conceptual framework for future Food-Based Dietary Guidelines in Europe: report of a Federation of European Nutrition Societies Task-Force Workshop in Copenhagen, 12–13 March 2018

Abstract

<jats:title>Abstract</jats:title> <jats:p>Identifying a need for developing a conceptual framework for the future development of Food-Based Dietary Guidelines (FBDGs) in Europe, The Federation of European Nutrition Sciences established a Task Force for this purpose. A workshop was held with the specific objective to discuss the various dimensions considered as particularly relevant. Existing frameworks for FBDGs were discussed, and presentations from various countries illustrated several commonalities but also a high degree of heterogeneity in the guidelines from different countries. Environmental aspects were considered in several countries, and dimensions like food safety, dietary habits and preparation were included in others. The workshop provided an overview of the use of FBDGs – both in developing front-of-pack nutrition labels and for reformulation and innovation. The European FBDGs dimensions were described with examples from the close connection between FBDGs and EU policies and activities and from the compilation of a database of national FBDGs. Also, the challenges with communication of FBDGs were discussed. Considering the current scientific basis and the experiences from several countries, the Task Force discussed the various dimensions of developing FBDGs and concluded that environmental aspects should be included in the future conceptual framework for FBDGs. A change in terminology to sustainable FDBGs (SFBDGs) could reflect this. The Task Force concluded that further work needs to be done exploring current practice, existing methodologies, and the future prospects for incorporating other relevant dimensions into a future FENS conceptual framework for SFBDGs in Europe and working groups were formed to address that.</jats:p>

Healthier and more sustainable diets: What changes are needed in high‐income countries?

“…There is no ideal ‘one‐size‐fits‐all’ solution to such a complex problem that will be suitable for all situations, from the individual to the country‐level, as recognised in a recent FAO report on the global state of food security and nutrition (FAO, 2021). While it has been suggested that FBDGs could be updated to integrate environmental concerns (Horgan et al, 2016; Scherer et al, 2019; Tetens et al, 2020), evidence from studies in high‐income countries generally shows that encouraging closer adherence to current national FBDGs is likely to offer environmental and health benefits.…”

“…A recent global analysis across 85 countries predicted that adoption of most FBDGs (98%) at a national level would be incompatible with at least one global health or environmental target set for GHGE, cropland, freshwater, nitrogen and phosphorus use, and reduction of non-communicable diseases (Springmann et al, 2020). The authors concluded that national dietary guidelines could be updated to be more environmentally sustainable, a recommendation also made by a recent Task Force of the Federation of European Nutrition Societies (Tetens et al, 2020). One such example is the updated Danish dietary guidelines (published January 2021), which now provide advice on how to achieve a 'healthy and climate-friendly' diet, including recommendations to eat more vegetables, to choose legumes and fish, vegetable oils, low-fat dairy products and less meat (see http://www.fao.org/nutri tion/ educa tion/food-dieta ry-guide lines/ regio ns/count ries/denma rk/en/ for more information).…”

Adherence to Food-Based Dietary Guidelines: A Systemic Review of High-Income and Low- and Middle-Income Countries

“…Evidence from this review suggests that the global population may not be meeting the minimum dietary recommendations for FV and whole-grains, with more pronounced deficits in those from HIC. All national FBDGs have common themes that FV and whole grains should be incorporated in a healthy diet for the prevention of obesity, other chronic NCDs, and some nutrient deficiencies [11,12,76]. These food sources usually provide a low amount of fat, and are key sources of vitamins, minerals, and dietary fiber [77].…”

“…A high diet quality consists of a variety of fruit and vegetables, lean meat and alternatives, low-fat dairy, whole grains, and an adequate ratio of fatty acids (i.e., omega 6 and 3 fatty acids), while minimizing the consumption of discretionary foods, such as those rich in added sugars, saturated fat, alcohol, and sodium [11][12][13]. Country-specific food-based dietary guidelines (FBDGs) are crucial for policy reference standards in food and nutrition, health, and agriculture [11,14].…”

Fens

“…Over the last four years the Federation of European Nutrition Societies (FENS) has had a series of activities around "food-based dietary guidelines" (FBDG), led by a FENS Task Force on FBDG. These activities have included symposia during the 21st IUNS International Congress of Nutrition (Buenos Aires, 2017) and the 13th European Nutrition Conference, and two workshops held in Brussels (2017) and Copenhagen (2018) [1]. In addition, week-long Summer Schools on the topic of FBDG were held in Belgrade, Serbia in August 2018 and 2019.…”