TDMR Europe membership more important than ever for slimming foods businesses
Posted On: 3rd August 2022
Europe is witnessing a dramatic increase in obesity rates and policy makers are looking at how best to tackle this challenge and related health conditions. It is more important than ever for the slimming foods sector to raise awareness of the effectiveness of its products in weight loss and help decision makers gain a better understanding of formula diet foods. This has become more evident in light of upcoming regulatory changes in the EU and the UK aiming to make the food system healthier – such as the EU Farm to Fork Strategy and the UK advertising restrictions on products high in fat, salt or sugar (HFSS).
Businesses in the sector need to join forces to tackle regulatory challenges and effectively increase awareness of their products. TDMR Europe enables slimming foods companies to work together to address issues of common concern, and supports members with its longstanding policy, scientific and PR experience. Benefits of TDMR Europe membership include:
- A strong voice for the sector and communications support
There is increasing scientific literature regarding the efficacy of total diet replacements (TDRs) and meal replacement products (MRPs) in helping people with obesity and overweight lose weight more rapidly than would otherwise be possible. Several studies also have shown the health benefits of diet programmes with formula foods for weight control for individuals with type 2 diabetes (T2DM), osteoarthritis and obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA). Moreover, recent research has demonstrated that weight loss with TDR may help to improve fertility in men with obesity.
TDMR Europe combines the industry’s technical knowledge, with decades of experience in public affairs and media relations to increase understanding of formula diet foods among policy makers, healthcare professionals and other stakeholders. TDMR Europe raises awareness of the beneficial impacts of members’ products not only via the effective communication channels that has established with decision makers in the EU and the UK over the years but also via a successful educational campaign that includes the delivery of regular insightful educational events.
- Political influence
The slimming foods sector is facing a challenging period from a regulatory perspective. The front-of-pack nutrition labelling (FOPNL) and nutrient profiles legislation that the European Commission is introducing as part of the Farm to Fork Strategy as well as the upcoming promotional restrictions of HFSS foods in the UK risks unfairly impacting the industry. Unless clear exemptions are introduced for specialist products that are not HFSS, such as TDRs and MRPs, these regulations may fail to recognise the specific use of TDRs and MRPs to provide healthy weight loss for people with obesity and overweight.
In addition, new rules on information and composition requirements for TDRs are set to apply from 27th October 2022. Delegated Act 2017/1798 sets out that TDRs protein requirements shall be between 75g and 105g. These new requirements are however very problematic from a food technology perspective and not based on the latest scientific evidence.
TDMR Europe helps its members have a say on legislations that affect their business. TDMR Europe works to influence the fluid and complex regulatory framework of formula diet products in the EU and the UK, securing a fit for purpose legislation for members’ products and ensuring proportionate implementation and enforcement.
- Regulatory updates and support
TDMR Europe members have access to bespoke policy and regulatory advice from a team of experienced advisors and receive early alerts on developments that may impact their products and business in the future.
- Networking
TDMR Europe membership enables businesses to build contacts with key players and colleagues in the sector and provides excellent opportunities for networking.
TDMR Europe is the European association for manufacturers and distributors of formula diet products, including total diet replacement (TDRs) and meal replacement (MRPs) which provide weight loss and weight management programmes for people with obesity and overweight. You can find more information here.
To join TDMR Europe please can it touch via +44 (0)20 7463 0620 or secretariat@tdmr-europe.com