FAO/WHO RELEASE OF EXPERT REPORT ON DIET,

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 03 ROME 001728

SIPDIS

FROM FODAG

STATE PLEASE PASS TO HHS FOR VALDEZ AND STEIGER
STATE FOR IO/EDA WINNICK AND KOTOK, IO/T FOR BLACKWOOD
USDA/FAS FOR REICH AND HUGHES
MEXICO CITY FOR BRAKEL
GENEVA FOR HOHMAN

E.O. 12958: N/A
UNCLASSIFIED

PAGE 02 ROME 01728 01 OF 03 231431Z
TAGS: AORC EAGR EAGR EAGR ETRD FAO ETRD AORC FAO ETRD AORC FAO
SUBJECT: FAO/WHO RELEASE OF EXPERT REPORT ON DIET,
NUTRITION AND PREVENTION OF CHRONIC DISEASES


1. SUMMARY. THE DIRECTORS GENERAL OF THE WORLD HEALTH
ORGANIZATION (WHO) AND THE FOOD AND AGRICULTURE
ORGANIZATION (FAO) PRESIDED OVER THE 4/23 RELEASE OF THE
WHO/FAO EXPERT CONSULTATION REPORT ON DIET, NUTRITION AND
PREVENTION OF COMMUNICABLE DISEASES. BOTH DIRECTORS
GENERAL EMPHASIZED THAT THE REPORT WAS JUST THE BEGINNING
OF THE DEVELOPMENT OF A GLOBAL STRATEGY AND EXPRESSED
CONFIDENCE IN THE REPORT'S SOUND SCIENTIFIC BASIS. FAO
DIRECTOR GENERAL DIOUF STATED THAT THE FAO GOVERNING
BODIES WOULD HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO REVIEW THE REPORT AS
SOON AS POSSIBLE. CONCERNING THE CONTROVERSIAL SUGAR
RECOMMENDATION, DIOUF SAID THAT THE ISSUE "HAD BEEN TAKEN
OUT OF CONTEXT" AND NOTED THAT THE RECOMMENDATION WAS NOT
A "STANDARD TO BE REGULATED." IN ANSWER TO A QUESTION
FROM THE PRESS, WHO DIRECTOR GENERAL BRUNTLAND SAID THAT
SHE HADN'T SEEN SUCH A "STRONG AND MISDIRECTED" RESPONSE
(FROM THE SUGAR INDUSTRY) SINCE THE "TOBACCO INDUSTRY WAS
ON THE MOVE." AMBASSADOR TONY HALL'S PRESS RELEASE,
ISSUED THE SAME DAY, EXPRESSED U.S. COMMITMENT TO
ADDRESSING THE GLOBAL NEED FOR IMPROVED DIETS AND
INCREASED PHYSICAL ACTIVITY TO FIGHT PREVENTABLE CHRONIC
DISEASES, BUT STATED THAT THE WHO/FAO REPORT FELL SHORT
OF PRESENTING THE COMPREHENSIVE BODY OF EVIDENCE AND
RIGOROUS CONCLUSIONS NECESSARY TO SERVE AS A BASIS FOR
WHO AND FAO POLICY RECOMMENDATIONS. END SUMMARY.


2. THE DIRECTORS GENERAL OF WHO AND FAO PRESIDED OVER
UNCLASSIFIED

PAGE 03 ROME 01728 01 OF 03 231431Z
THE 4/23 RELEASE OF THE WHO/FAO EXPERT REPORT ON DIET,
NUTRITION AND PREVENTION OF COMMUNICABLE DISEASES AT FAO
HEADQUARTERS IN ROME. MS. SHIRIKI KUMANYIKA, VICE-CHAIR
OF THE EXPERT CONSULTATION, PROVIDED A SHORT OVERVIEW OF
THE REPORT. SPEAKING TO AN AUDIENCE OF FAO STAFFERS,
PERMANENT REPRESENTATIVES AND THE MEDIA, WHO DIRECTOR
GENERAL (DG) BRUNTLAND STATED THAT CHRONIC DISEASES
CAUSED 40 MILLION PREMATURE DEATHS PER YEAR AND THAT
DISEASES SUCH AS OBESITY AND DIABETES WERE NO LONGER A
"RICH COUNTRY PROBLEM." THE EXPERT REPORT ON DIET,
NUTRITION AND PREVENTION OF CHRONIC DISEASES CONTAINED
THE "BEST CURRENTLY AVAILABLE EVIDENCE" AND WILL SERVE AS
THE "SCIENCE-BASED FOUNDATION" FOR THE GLOBAL STRATEGY
STILL TO BE DEVELOPED. SHE NOTED THAT MANY OF THE
CONCLUSIONS -- THAT A HEALTHY DIET WAS ONE LOW IN SUGAR,
SALT AND SATURATED FATS, AND HIGH IN FRUITS AND
VEGETABLES -- WERE NOT NEW BUT HAD BEEN SUBSTANTIATED BY
MORE RECENT RESEARCH. BRUNTLAND DETAILED NEXT STEPS FOR
THE FORMULATION OF THE GLOBAL STRATEGY, INCLUDING MEETING
WITH STAKEHOLDERS (INDUSTRY, NGO'S) IN PREPARATION FOR A
STRATEGY TO BE CONSIDERED BY THE WHO EXECUTIVE BOARD IN

2004.


3. CONCERNING MEMBER REACTIONS TO THE REPORT, SHE
REPORTED THAT A RECENT EUROPEAN REGION MEETING HAD
CONCLUDED THAT ECONOMIC AND REGULATORY TOOLS SHOULD BE
USED (TO IMPLEMENT THE STRATEGY) AND HAD NOTED THE
IMPLICATIONS FOR ADVERTISING, MARKETING, TRADE AND FISCAL
POLICIES. THE EUROPEAN MEETING HAD ALSO CONCLUDED
(ACCORDING TO BRUNTLAND),THAT TRADE AGREEMENTS AND
DECISIONS ON AGRICULTURE SHOULD BE ASSESSED IN TERMS OF
UNCLASSIFIED

PAGE 04 ROME 01728 01 OF 03 231431Z
THEIR IMPACT ON HEALTH. BRUNTLAND CONCLUDED THAT SHIFTS
IN DIET AND EXERCISE COULD LEAD A POSITIVE IMPACT ON
HEALTH AND THAT THE EXPERT REPORT CONSTITUTED A "MAJOR
CONTRIBUTION TO THIS EFFORT."


4. FAO DG JACQUES DIOUF CALLED THE REPORT "TIMELY" AND
"SIGNIFICANT" AND A MANIFESTATION OF THE LONG
COLLABORATION BETWEEN FAO AND WHO IN THE "GENERATION OF
SCIENCE-BASED ADVICE." HE DISCUSSED THE PROCESS OF
CONVENING THE SCIENTISTS AND SPECIALISTS TO PREPARE THE
EXPERT REPORT, EMPHASIZING THEIR "INDEPENDENCE" AND
"SCIENTIFIC EXCELLENCE." HE ALSO STATED THAT THE PROCESS
WAS TRANSPARENT AND INVOLVED STAKEHOLDERS. IN THIS
CONTEXT HE SAID THAT SOME RECOMMENDATIONS, SUCH AS THE
SUGAR RECOMMENDATION, HAD BEEN TAKEN OUT OF CONTEXT. IT
WAS NOT MEANT TO BE A "PRECISE SCIENTIFIC" AMOUNT, BUT
THE "BEST COMPROMISE BASED ON CURRENT KNOWLEDGE WHICH WAS
DESIRABLE FOR A POPULATION AT LARGE", AND WAS NOT A
"STANDARD TO BE REGULATED." HE NOTED THAT MORE RESEARCH
NEEDED TO BE DONE, PARTICULARLY IN DEVELOPING COUNTRIES
WHERE ACCESS TO ALTERNATIVE FOODS MAY BE LIMITED.


5. DIOUF EMPHASIZED THAT THE REPORT WAS "THE BEGINNING,"
NOT THE END OF THE PROCESS. THE REPORT AND THE FAO
RESPONSE WILL BE PRESENTED TO FAO'S GOVERNING BODIES AS

UNCLASSIFIED

UNCLASSIFIED PTQ3903

PAGE 01 ROME 01728 02 OF 03 231431Z
ACTION IO-00

INFO LOG-00 AID-00 CEA-01 CIAE-00 COME-00 CTME-00 INL-00
DODE-00 ITCE-00 WHA-00 SRPP-00 EB-00 EXME-00 EUR-00
E-00 UTED-00 FDRE-01 VC-00 FRB-00 HHS-01 H-01
TEDE-00 INR-00 ITC-01 L-00 VCE-00 AC-01 NSAE-00
NSCE-00 OES-00 OIC-02 OMB-01 OPIC-01 PER-00 ACE-00
SSO-00 SS-00 STR-00 TEST-00 TRSE-00 USIE-00 EPAE-00
DRL-01 G-00 SAS-00 /011W
-------------- 59F82B 231432Z /38
R 231427Z APR 03
FM AMEMBASSY ROME
TO SECSTATE WASHDC 9381
USDA FAS WASHDC 2636
INFO USMISSION USUN NEW YORK
AMEMBASSY MEXICO
USMISSION GENEVA

UNCLAS SECTION 02 OF 03 ROME 001728

SIPDIS

FROM FODAG

STATE PLEASE PASS TO HHS FOR VALDEZ AND STEIGER
STATE FOR IO/EDA WINNICK AND KOTOK, IO/T FOR BLACKWOOD
USDA/FAS FOR REICH AND HUGHES
MEXICO CITY FOR BRAKEL
GENEVA FOR HOHMAN

E.O. 12958: N/A
UNCLASSIFIED

PAGE 02 ROME 01728 02 OF 03 231431Z
TAGS: AORC EAGR EAGR EAGR ETRD FAO ETRD AORC FAO ETRD AORC FAO
SUBJECT: FAO/WHO RELEASE OF EXPERT REPORT ON DIET,
NUTRITION AND PREVENTION OF CHRONIC DISEASES

SOON AS POSSIBLE. FAO'S RESPONSE WILL INCLUDE AN
ANALYSIS OF THE IMPACT ON CONSUMERS AND FARMERS IN
DEVELOPING COUNTRIES. IT WILL LOOK AT HOW FOOD AND
AGRICULTURAL SECTORS WILL ADJUST AND THE IMPLICATIONS FOR
PRODUCTS, PROCESSING AND TRADE. HE NOTED THAT THE
RECOMMENDATION ON FRUITS AND VEGETABLES AND FISH HAD
IMPLICATIONS FOR FAO'S WORK ON HORTICULTURE AND
FISHERIES, AND "PRESENTED OPPORTUNITIES" FOR DEVELOPING
COUNTRIES WHICH MAY HAVE A "COMPARATIVE ADVANTAGE" IN
PRODUCING THESE FOODS.

MEDIA QUESTIONS:


6. THE REUTERS CORRESPONDENT ASKED FOR COMMENT ON THE
SUGAR INDUSTRY ALLEGATION THAT THE REPORT WOULD CAUSE
PEOPLE TO THINK "THERE IS A HEALTH RISK TO CONSUMING MORE
THAN 10 PERCENT SUGAR" AND THEIR REQUEST TO HAVE THE
REPORT "REMOVED FROM THE WHO WEBSITE." MS. SHIRIKI
KUMANYIKA, VICE-CHAIR OF THE EXPERT CONSULTATION, CALLED
THIS REACTION "UNFORTUNATE," NOTING THAT THE SUGAR
RECOMMENDATION IS A TARGET FOR A POPULATION AT LARGE, AND
THAT THE RECOMMENDED AMOUNT HAD NOT CHANGED SINCE THE
WHO'S LAST REPORT (1990) ON THE SUBJECT. SHE SAID THAT
THE EVIDENCE BETWEEN OBESITY AND DENTAL CARIES AND SUGAR
WAS "EXTREMELY WELL ESTABLISHED" AND THAT THE EXPERTS HAD
NOT "MISCONSTRUED THE EVIDENCE."

UNCLASSIFIED

PAGE 03 ROME 01728 02 OF 03 231431Z

7. WHO DG BRUNTLAND RESPONDED THAT THE "SOLIDITY OF THE
WORK IS WELL-FOUNDED WHICH MAKES THOSE "CRITICISMS
UNREASONABLE." SHE SAID THAT SHE HAD NOT SEEN SUCH A
"STRONG AND MISDIRECTED" MISSIVES (FROM THE SUGAR
INDUSTRY) SINCE THE DAYS WHEN "THE TOBACCO INDUSTRY WAS
ON THE MOVE."


8. A JAPANESE CORRESPONDENT QUERIED HOW THE "COOPERATION
OF THE FAST-FOOD INDUSTRIES" WOULD BE OBTAINED. FAO DG
DIOUF RESPONDED, "SOME PEOPLE OVERUSE FAST FOOD AND THIS
HAS LED TO OBESITY, BUT IT DEPENDS ON THE COMPOSITION OF
THE FOOD AND THE OVERALL FOOD INTAKE. DG WHO DG
BRUNTLAND STATED THAT "FAST FOOD ONCE A MONTH, OR A WEEK
WAS OK, BUT AS A DAILY ROUTINE IT WILL RESULT IN
NUTRITIONAL STATUS GOING DOWN AND BODY WEIGHT GOING UP."
SHE ADDED THAT DRINKING "SUGARY DRINKS" MADE THE
SITUATION "EVEN WORSE."

COMMENTS FROM FAO PERMANENT REPRESENTATIVES


9. THE PERMANENT REPRESENTATIVES OF ZIMBABWE, SPEAKING
FOR THE AFRICAN GROUP, WELCOMED THE PROGRESSIVE DEEPENING
OF KNOWLEDGE ON THE SUBJECT, BUT EMPHASIZED MEMBER STATE
INTEREST IN "SHAPING THE AGRICULTURAL COMPONENT,
PARTICULARLY HOW AND WHEN TO SHIFT PRODUCTION." SHE
RECALLED THAT MEMBER STATES STILL NEEDED TO DISCUSS THE
REPORT; THEY HAD A PROBLEM "HAVING THE REPORT ATTRIBUTED
TO US" BEFORE IT HAD BEEN SEEN BY THE FAO'S POLICY MAKING
BODIES. FAO DG DIOUF RESPONDED THAT FAO MEMBERS WOULD BE
FULLY INVOLVED AND MENTIONED THAT THE REPORT WOULD BE
PRESENTED TO THE FAO COUNCIL. HE ALSO NOTED THE
UNCLASSIFIED

PAGE 04 ROME 01728 02 OF 03 231431Z
DIFFERENCE BETWEEN AN "FAO EXPERT REPORT" AND AN "FAO
STRATEGY" (THE LATTER BEING MEMBER-OWNED, THE FORMER
REPRESENTING THE VIEWS OF THE EXPERTS).


10. THE AMBASSADOR OF BRAZIL ASKED WHETHER THE
RECOMMENDATIONS WERE TO BECOME "STANDARDS" OR "GOALS." HE
NOTED IN THIS CONTEXT THAT THE INTRODUCTORY OVERVIEW OF
THE REPORT (PRESENTED BY VICE-CHAIR KUMANYIKA) HAD
REFERRED TO THE ROLE OF CODEX ALIMENTARIUS. HE ASKED FOR
ASSURANCES THAT "STRATEGIES" ADOPTED BY GOVERNMENTS NOT
BECOME BARRIERS TO FREE TRADE IN AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTS.
DG DIOUF RESPONDED THAT CODEX WAS AN "INTERGOVERNMENTAL
BODY," THAT ANY STRATEGY WOULD HAVE TO BE DISCUSSED BY
MEMBERS IN THE GOVERNING BODIES AND "GO THROUGH THE
NORMAL PROCESS." (DIOUF DID NOT DIRECTLY ANSWER THE
QUESTION ON TRADE BARRIERS.)

U.S. PRESS RELEASE


11. AMBASSADOR HALL RELEASED A PRESS RELEASE ON 4/23,
STATING THAT THE REPORT "FALLS SHORT OF PRESENTING THE
COMPREHENSIVE BODY OF EVIDENCE AND RIGOROUS CONCLUSIONS
NECESSARY TO SERVE AS A BASIS FOR WHO AND FAO POLICY
RECOMMENDATIONS" AND WELCOMING THE OPPORTUNITY FOR FAO
MEMBERS TO DISCUSS THE REPORT IN DEPTH. THE STATEMENT

UNCLASSIFIED

UNCLASSIFIED PTQ3902

PAGE 01 ROME 01728 03 OF 03 231432Z
ACTION IO-00

INFO LOG-00 AID-00 CEA-01 CIAE-00 COME-00 CTME-00 INL-00
DODE-00 ITCE-00 WHA-00 SRPP-00 EB-00 EXME-00 EUR-00
E-00 UTED-00 FDRE-01 VC-00 FRB-00 HHS-01 H-01
TEDE-00 INR-00 ITC-01 L-00 VCE-00 AC-01 DCP-01
NSAE-00 NSCE-00 OES-00 OIC-02 OMB-01 OPIC-01 PER-00
ACE-00 IRM-00 SSO-00 SS-00 STR-00 TEST-00 TRSE-00
USIE-00 EPAE-00 ECA-00 DRL-01 G-00 SAS-00 /012W
-------------- 59F83A 231432Z /38
R 231427Z APR 03
FM AMEMBASSY ROME
TO SECSTATE WASHDC 9382
USDA FAS WASHDC 2637
INFO USMISSION USUN NEW YORK
AMEMBASSY MEXICO
USMISSION GENEVA

UNCLAS SECTION 03 OF 03 ROME 001728

SIPDIS

FROM FODAG

STATE PLEASE PASS TO HHS FOR VALDEZ AND STEIGER
STATE FOR IO/EDA WINNICK AND KOTOK, IO/T FOR BLACKWOOD
USDA/FAS FOR REICH AND HUGHES
MEXICO CITY FOR BRAKEL
GENEVA FOR HOHMAN

E.O. 12958: N/A
UNCLASSIFIED

PAGE 02 ROME 01728 03 OF 03 231432Z
TAGS: AORC EAGR EAGR EAGR ETRD FAO ETRD AORC FAO ETRD AORC FAO
SUBJECT: FAO/WHO RELEASE OF EXPERT REPORT ON DIET,
NUTRITION AND PREVENTION OF CHRONIC DISEASES

ALSO EXPRESSED THE U.S. COMMITMENT TO ADDRESSING THE
GLOBAL NEED FOR IMPROVED DIETS AND INCREASED PHYSICAL
ACTIVITY TO FIGHT PREVENTABLE CHRONIC DISEASES.


12. BEGIN TEXT OF PRESS RELEASE:

THE BEST POSSIBLE SCIENTIFIC AND PUBLIC HEALTH EVIDENCE
SHOULD BE THE CORNERSTONE OF THE 2004 GLOBAL STRATEGY ON
DIET, PHYSICAL ACTIVITY AND HEALTH. I BELIEVE, HOWEVER,
THAT THE WHO/FAO REPORT FALLS SHORT OF PRESENTING THE
COMPREHENSIVE BODY OF EVIDENCE AND RIGOROUS CONCLUSIONS
NECESSARY TO SERVE AS A BASIS FOR WHO AND FAO POLICY
RECOMMENDATIONS.

UNFORTUNATELY, THIS REPORT HAS NEVER EVEN BEEN AN ITEM
FOR DISCUSSION AMONG THE MEMBER COUNTRIES OF FAO. THIS
IS IMPORTANT BECAUSE THE RECOMMENDATIONS HAVE
IMPLICATIONS FOR AGRICULTURE AROUND THE WORLD. THE
CONCERNS EXPRESSED BY MANY OF MY COLLEAGUES FROM THE
DEVELOPING WORLD SERVE TO REMIND US OF THE IMPORTANCE OF
GETTING THE SCIENCE RIGHT. THE CONSEQUENCES OF DIET AND
NUTRITION ADVICE - AND THIS REPORT - EXTEND WELL BEYOND
PUBLIC HEALTH TO THE VERY ECONOMIC WELL-BEING OF THE
FARMERS WHO PRODUCE THE FOODS WE EAT. WE WELCOME THE
OPPORTUNITY TO DISCUSS THIS IN DEPTH AT THE NEXT FAO
COMMITTEE ON AGRICULTURE.

UNCLASSIFIED

PAGE 03 ROME 01728 03 OF 03 231432Z
SOUND SCIENCE CAN HELP GOVERNMENTS EFFECTIVELY PROMOTE
PUBLIC HEALTH. A TRANSPARENT AND PARTICIPATORY
DEVELOPMENT PROCESS THAT INCORPORATES A RANGE OF
STAKEHOLDERS AND PARTNERS CAN HELP TO BUILD SUSTAINABLE
SOLUTIONS AND LONG-TERM STRATEGIES.

GIVEN THE COMPLEXITY OF THE ISSUES SURROUNDING DIET,
NUTRITION AND THE PREVENTION OF CHRONIC DISEASES, WE
BELIEVE EXPERT PEERS AND OTHER STAKEHOLDERS, INCLUDING
THE SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH COMMUNITY, INDUSTRY, NON-
GOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATIONS, AND PROFESSIONAL HEALTH
SOCIETIES, WOULD STRENGTHEN THE REPORT'S FINDINGS WITH
ONGOING DEBATE. SUCH DISCUSSION WOULD ALSO PROVIDE
VALUABLE CONTRIBUTIONS AS THE WHO, FAO, AND MEMBER
GOVERNMENTS MOVE FORWARD IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF A GLOBAL
STRATEGY ON DIET, PHYSICAL ACTIVITY AND HEALTH TO BE
CONSIDERED IN 2004.

THE UNITED STATES IS COMMITTED TO ADDRESSING THE GLOBAL
NEED FOR IMPROVED DIETS AND INCREASED PHYSICAL ACTIVITY
TO FIGHT PREVENTABLE CHRONIC DISEASES SUCH AS DIABETES,
HEART DISEASE, AND CERTAIN CANCERS. OUR PASSION IS
REFLECTED IN PRESIDENT BUSH'S HEALTHIER U.S. INITIATIVE,
AND IN OTHER FEDERAL INITIATIVES TO PROMOTE HEALTHIER
LIFESTYLES. TOMMY G. THOMPSON, U.S. SECRETARY OF HEALTH
AND HUMAN SERVICES, AND ANN VENEMAN, U.S. SECRETARY OF
AGRICULTURE, HAVE MET WITH LEADERS FROM THE FOOD
INDUSTRY, GROCERY MANUFACTURERS, FRUIT AND VEGETABLE
GROWERS, THE SOFT DRINK INDUSTRY AND OTHER INDUSTRIES TO
HELP US COMBAT THE U.S. OBESITY EPIDEMIC. END TEXT.
HALL
UNCLASSIFIED

PAGE 04 ROME 01728 03 OF 03 231432Z

UNCLASSIFIED

>
2003ROME01728 - Classification: UNCLASSIFIED