The International Food & Beverage Alliance Releases the 2021 Progress Report
Geneva, Switzerland, 5 July 2022 – 2021 remained a challenging year as the world continued to deal with the impact of COVID-19. Despite the challenges, IFBA members sustained and strengthened their efforts to keep supply chains strong and ensure the availability and safety of products. At the same time, IFBA advanced its goal to improve global health and nutrition with the launch of two new commitments: the first, an enhanced global policy on responsible marketing to children; and the second, the first-ever collective commitment by the food industry to implement globally set standardized targets for sodium reduction in manufactured foods.
The 2021 Progress Report provides details of these two new commitments as well as highlights of IFBA members’ achievements to fulfill their core commitments adopted in 2008 – to improve the nutrition of foods and beverages; improve nutrition information to consumers; market responsibly; and promote healthy, sustainable living:
- We continue to develop innovative products that improve the nutritional quality of foods and beverages without compromising taste or quality – with more whole grains, nuts, seeds, low-fat dairy, fruits and vegetables and less, fat, sugar and salt.
- We are expanding our portfolios with plant-based protein and animal alternatives that have a lower environmental impact and developing more portion-control options to help people manage their calories.
- We are addressing nutritional gaps by delivering positive nutritional benefits and micronutrient-fortified products at an affordable price.
- We are on track to achieve the phasing-out of industrially produced fats in our products worldwide by the end of 2023 in line with the WHO’s objective.
- 99% of IFBA members’ products globally display nutritional information on pack and 94% display calories front-of-pack.
- Our commitment on responsible marketing to children has led to positive changes in the foods that are marketed to children – foods are now, overall, lower in fat, sugar and salt and provide more whole grains, non-fat dairy, fruits and vegetables, while many other foods, such as confectionery, potato crisps, soft drinks and ice cream, are not marketed to children. The commitment has also led to a substantial reduction in children’s exposure to ads for products that are high in fat, sugar and salt, with the current levels of exposure being very low. A 2021 study in 12 markets found only 1.45% of online ads served to children were for such products.
IFBA members are committed to helping shape a sustainable global food system for people and the planet by providing nutritious, accessible and affordable foods; ensuring food safety; increasing sustainable agricultural productivity; reducing the environmental impact of manufacturing and processing operations; reducing food loss and waste; and ensuring food and nutrition security.
Our commitments and our actions are built on the fundamental principle that creating effective and sustainable solutions to global health and nutrition challenges requires collective action and the participation of all stakeholders. For our part, we will continue leading our industry and look forward to working with all stakeholders towards the realization of our ultimate shared goal of a healthier, more sustainable global food system.
Read IFBA’s 2021 Progress Report
About The International Food & Beverage Alliance (IFBA): IFBA is a group of seven global food and non-alcoholic beverage companies – The Coca-Cola Company, Ferrero, General Mills, Grupo Bimbo, Kellogg, Mondelēz International and PepsiCo – that share a common goal of helping people around the world achieve balanced diets, and healthy, active lifestyles. IFBA is a non-commercial, non-profit making organization, in special consultative status with the UN’s Economic and Social Committee (ECOSOC). For more information about IFBA, please visit www.ifballiance.org
For all enquiries:
Rocco Renaldi
Secretary-General
+32 473 40 18 27
