Barbados tackles unhealthy food environments

The Barbados Ministry of Health and the Barbados National NCD Commission on Friday, 24 March, 2017, hosted a national consultation on Healthy Foods for Barbadians under the theme ‘Affordable, Safe and Nutritious Food: Combatting NCDs’ (Non-Communicable Diseases).

The multi-sector meeting, which saw representation by schoolchildren, faith-based organisations and the local chamber of commerce, was opened by Sir Trevor Hassell, Chair of the Barbados National NCD Commission and President of the HCC. In his opening remarks, Sir Trevor highlighted the staggering impact of NCDs by asking participants to stand if they had an NCD. He then asked those with affected family members to stand. The entire room stood. The powerful exercise harkened back to the early days of HIV and AIDS activism and had an immediate and profound impact on delegates.

Acting PAHO/WHO Representative, Dr. Peter Cowley, followed with fulsome praise for the Barbados national NCD prevention and control response citing the implementation of the SSB tax, the National NCD Commission’s 10-year anniversary and the impact the collective efforts have had on the general public. He ended by sharing a recent experience in a Barber shop when two young men were discussing the unhealthiness of a national staple dish – macaroni pie. This is progress he remarked, when everyday people are discussing NCDs in their everyday lives.

The Hon. John Boyce, Minister of Health wrapped up the morning session with the feature address in which he praised the success of the National NCD Commission and noted that his Ministry is currently considering a ban on the sale, promotion and marketing of SSBs and unhealthy foods in schools across Barbados.

Private sector initiatives were showcased featuring product reformulation, innovative cassava based products and retail sector programmes aimed at contributing to healthier food environments.

Displays illustrated sugar contents of popular SSBs and healthy food alternatives including cassava based products. The HCC applauds the continued leadership of the Barbados National NCD Commission and the Ministry of Health and committed to working with Barbadian civil society organisations to support advocacy aimed at advancing this agenda. Civil society was well represented by the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Barbados and the Diabetes Association of Barbados. The day’s deliberation closed with a call to action. (Adapted from Healthy Caribbean Coalition Press Release)