Criteria

Making our foods & drinks healthy

Foods and drinks should be enjoyed as part of a nutritionally balanced diet so we want to make it easy for you to choose the healthy options. This is why Unilever participates in the Choices Programme as one of the founding fathers together with dairy companies Campina and Friesland Foods at international level and even some 70 companies at national level.

International authorities issue guidelines for healthy diets for populations. These dietary guidelines have been referenced in the development of the qualifying criteria for the Choices stamp. Through the Choices International Foundation we are sharing the methodology and criteria with scientists and nutritionists from all around the world and are getting very positive feedback. An independent scientific committee is also advising on the nutritional criteria, ensuring that the Choices Programme is in line with latest scientific developments in nutrition and food technology.

The Choices stamp is already visible in 50 countries (status January 2008)

·The programme is attracting more and more partners. The best example is

seen in the Netherlands, where more than 65 partners have joined in one year.

·Choicesis shared at many national and international meetings with Scientists, regulators, public health organisations and trade, consistently receiving positive feedback.

·The Choices Programme is well prepared for the upcoming EU nutrient profiling and other regulations or mandatory labelling schemes that are expected.

Choices qualifying criteria

The original qualifying criteria for the Choices Programme are based on our Nutrition Enhancement Programme benchmarks and have been published in the European Journal of Clinical Nutrition (link provided below). A first review by independent scientists has resulted in a new set of qualifying criteria that are transitionally being implemented. Further information about the qualifying criteria and the scientific committee involved is available from the website from the Choices International Foundation – see link below.

Foods & drinks with the Choices stamp

Around a third of our foods and drinks worldwide will feature the Choices stamp. That will increase as we change more of our foods to bring them in line with the criteria.

You'll find the Choices stamp on a wide span of ready meals, foods and drinks, and not just on those that are reduced in fat, low in salt or which offer extra health benefits. It can be found on everything from soups and margarines to sauces and fruit juices – to name but a few.