ACFN Kicks Off TRIUMPH Tour in Little Rock

The American Council for Fitness and Nutrition (ACFN) has launched a panel discussion series to convene stakeholders in communities across the country that are empowering people to embrace healthier lifestyles. More than 100 local policy-makers and influencers from the health, nutrition and fitness community participated in the first TRIUMPH (Trends, Resources and Inspiration for Understanding and Maintaining Physical Health) event, held March 15 in Little Rock, Ark.

Pictured at the launch event for the TRIUMPH panel discussion series are (from left) Joe Quinn, policy adviser, Arkansas Office of the Governor; Susan Finn, chairman, ACFN; Phil Haberstro, president, National Association for Health and Fitness; and Jean-Paul Francoeur, chairman, Arkansas Governor’s Council on Fitness.

The program highlighted the progress being made by both government and private organizations across the state in helping Arkansans adopt and sustain healthier lifestyles as well as the role that both physical activity and good nutrition habits play in the fight against obesity.

TRIUMPH is part of a national effort spearheaded by ACFN to share information about practical and sustainable solutions to the obesity epidemic. ACFN, a nonprofit organization comprised of food and beverage companies, health and nutrition advocates, and associations, will hold the next TRIUMPH event May 4 in Austin.

Contact: Richard Martin

Industry Weighs in on Global Strategies to Combat Obesity

In addition to working to combat obesity at the local level through ACFN, GMA is helping to shape the industry response globally.

GMA participated in a World Health Organization (WHO) roundtable discussion March 22-23 in Geneva. The meeting, which focused on the WHO Global Strategy on Diet, Physical Activity and Health, explored how all stakeholders, including the food and beverage industry, can contribute to its successful implementation.

Through the International Council of Grocery Manufacturer Associations (ICGMA), GMA had a seat at the table to emphasize the importance of engaging the private sector in anti-obesity initiatives. Mark Nelson, GMA’s vice president of scientific and regulatory policy, provided examples of the food and beverage industry’s efforts to improve existing products and introduce new products, promote healthy diets and physical activity, label clearly and accurately, and advertise and market its products responsibly. Additionally, Nelson discussed the industry’s support of the CORET project, which focuses on evidence-based science review in the obesity area.

Contact: Mark Nelson

GMA Underscores Industry Commitment to Responsible Marketing

In response to recent comments made by industry critics on Capitol Hill, GMA reiterated the many actions that demonstrate the commitment of its member companies to fighting childhood obesity. Following a news conference called by U.S. Sen. Tom Harkin (D-Iowa) to criticize the marketing of “junk food” to children, GMA representatives were made available to the media to provide the industry perspective on this issue. On behalf of its member companies, GMA also responded to a letter sent by Sen. Harkin to food industry executives, citing numerous industry initiatives to combat obesity, including reviews of advertising and marketing practices; the introduction of thousands of new and reformulated products lower in saturated and trans fats, sodium and sugar; and the creation of ACFN.

Contact: Mary Sophos

Coalition Contributes to Advancement of Anti-Counterfeiting Bill

As a member of the Coalition Against Counterfeiting and Piracy (CACP), GMA was a force behind the advancement of a bill that would curb counterfeiting of U.S. consumer goods. H.R. 32, “The Stop Counterfeiting in Manufactured Goods Act,” was approved unanimously March 17 by the Crime, Terrorism and Homeland Security Subcommittee of the House Judiciary Committee. H.R. 32 will now be considered by the full committee, which must approve the measure before it is sent to the House floor.

Before marking up H.R. 32, the subcommittee conducted a hearing at which CACP Chairman Paul Fox, director of external relations for The Gillette Company, testified against counterfeiting and organized retail theft (ORT).

The coalition is currently working with Senate Judiciary Committee staff to find original cosponsors for a Senate version of the bill. GMA will continue to monitor legislative developments and ensure that members of Congress are fully informed of the health and safety risks, economic costs and security threats posed by counterfeiting as well as ORT.

Contact: Sarah Thorn for H.R. 32, Doug Robertson for ORT

WTO Decision on Geographic Indications Reinforces U.S. Trademark Rights

A recent decision by the World Trade Organization (WTO) has given U.S. food companies the same trademark protection as their European counterparts for geographic names associated with a particular product, such as Roquefort cheese or Idaho potatoes. The decision, applauded by GMA in a March 15 statement, agreed with the U.S. government’s assertion that the European Union’s system for protecting geographic indications (GIs) discriminated against U.S. products and producers and, as a result, was contrary to WTO rules.

GMA has campaigned actively for more than four years in opposition to EU efforts to impose its system for protecting GIs on all WTO member countries, supporting the U.S. system that strikes a balance between protecting trademarks and GIs.

Contact: Sarah Thorn

GMA Survey Rates Brand Name Food, Consumer Products

A recent GMA survey of brand name goods revealed that consumers ranked packaged goods and food items at the top of their list in terms of quality and value. According to the survey, conducted in December by national polling firm Peter D. Hart Research Associates, Inc., 83 percent of consumers described goods such as household and personal care products as excellent or good quality — a six-point increase since 1998 — while 82 percent described branded food items as excellent or good. When considering value, consumers ranked food and consumer products second only to home electronic equipment.

Contact: Stephanie Childs

Washington Breakfast Series
Washington, D.C.
April 14

GMA Food and Health Strategy Group Meeting
Washington, D.C.
April 14

Unsaleables Committee Meeting
Charleston Place
Charleston, S.C.
April 20-21

Scientific & Regulatory Policy Conference
The Melrose Hotel
Washington, D.C.
May 23-25