CARICOM Member States are once again voting on the adoption of the Final Draft CARICOM Regional Standard for labelling pre-packaged foods (FDCRS 5:2010). This Standard includes octagonal warning labels on the front of packaged products to help individuals quickly, easily and correctly identify foods high in sugars, sodium or fats quickly. This evidence-based strategy is known to support consumers in making healthier choices, aiming to combat non-communicable diseases, overweight, and obesity.

In a collaborative effort, the Healthy Caribbean Coalition (HCC), comprising local civil society organisations and allies, orchestrated a regional Call to Action on Saturday, September 16th, at 11:00 AM AST/10:00 AM JA time across several CARICOM territories, including Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, The Bahamas, Belize, Dominica, Grenada, Jamaica, St. Lucia and St. Vincent and the Grenadines. Civil Society Organisations in St. Kitts and Nevis and Trinidad and Tobago supported the effort virtually.

The event highlighted regional civil society organisation support for the High In octagonal warning labels across the Caribbean and garnered the public’s perspectives on the implementation of High In front of package nutrition warning labelling across the Caribbean. This call to action served as a reminder to CARICOM leaders that they have committed to fast-tracking policies to address obesity in children and more broadly, tackling unhealthy food environments and NCDs.