WCRD 2015: Consumers' rights to healthy food in the Middle East

Consumers International Member the Oman Association for Consumer Protection will organise a seminar under CI’s World Consumer Rights Day (WCRD) 2015 theme, to raise awareness of the alternative ways to support healthy diets in the Middle East region.

The seminar will take place on 17 March 2015, in the Oman Chamber of Commerce Industry, with important discussions on: providing information to consumers to help them choose a healthier diet, raising awareness of non-communicable diseases (such as diabetes, high blood pressure, overweight and obesity), and the effect of fast food meals on health, and ways to avoid them.

It will be attended by consumer organisations from Lebanon, Sudan, Jordan and Syria. Students from private universities and colleges, Woman Associations and public and private sector industries have also been invited.

The seminar will feature several guest speakers, including: the President of the Arab Federation for Consumers in Jordan and the Director of the Islamic Institute, Burami – Sultanate of Oman. There will also be papers presented during the seminar from the Ministry of Health, the Lebanese Association for Consumers and the Sudanese Association for Consumer Protection.

In the Middle East region childhood obesity is a serious and challenging issue. In Kuwait 51% of children aged 13-15 are overweight, followed by the United Arab Emirates (UAE) with 38.4% and Egypt with 32.5%.

Changing diets seem to be a big contributor to these statistics. On average adolescents drink one or more soft drinks daily. 

CI and its Members are calling for the World Health Organisation (WHO) to develop a global treaty to support consumers’ rights to healthy food. A #FoodTreatyNow would reduce very high levels of fat, salt and sugar in everyday foods, and would also reduce the marketing of junk food to children.

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