Integrating Formula Diets into the EU’s Cardiovascular Health Plan: A Critical Step for Tackling Obesity
Posted On: 19th November 2025
TDMR Europe urges the European Commission to include safe, cost-effective and scientifically proven formula diets as a tool to tackle cardiovascular risks in its upcoming Cardiovascular Health Plan. These regulated solutions are essential tools for tackling obesity, one of the most significant risk factors for cardiovascular disease (CVD). To achieve meaningful progress on cardiovascular health, formula diets must be integrated into the EU’s strategy.
What is the upcoming Cardiovascular Health Plan and why obesity matters
The European Commission’s Cardiovascular Health Plan, launched for consultation on 11th August, sets out an ambitious vision to improve public health, foster innovation and strengthen the EU health industry. The Commission is clear: this is not just a health challenge – but a societal priority.
CVD claims over 1.7 million lives per year across the EU and costs around €280 billion annually in healthcare and lost productivity. It is a leading cause of disability, premature retirement and absenteeism, reducing the quality of life and life expectancy while placing a heavy economic burden on Member States.
Obesity is a major driver of CVD, and rates continue to rise across Europe. It fuels comorbidities such as type 2 diabetes, osteoarthritis and sleep apnoea – further amplifying cardiovascular risk. Without effective weight management, the EU cannot hope to reduce CVD or achieve its public health goals. Tackling obesity is therefore central to improving health outcomes, reducing inequalities and safeguarding productivity across the EU.
TDMR Europe welcomes the Commission’s dual approach
We welcome the Commission’s commitment to a dual approach that addresses both prevention and management of cardiovascular health and obesity. However, awareness alone will not reverse obesity prevalence and trends. The EU needs practical, evidence-based interventions that deliver measurable results – and the formula diets sector is ready to provide them.
We believe the Cardiovascular Health Plan should formally include formula diet plans as part of its strategy to reduce obesity-related risk factors. Their inclusion would expand access to proven weight control tools, support innovation in responsible health products, and help reduce inequalities in health outcomes across Member States.
TDMR Europe represents manufacturers and distributors of formula diet products, including Total Diet Replacements (TDRs) and Meal Replacement Products (MRPs). Our members operate across the EU – from Belgium and Denmark to Ireland and Sweden – and in third countries including the UK, Saudi Arabia and Singapore. We are already delivering regulated, scientifically validated solutions for weight management.
Formula diets plans: a proven, cost-effective solution
Formula diets are not lifestyle choices – they are medically supervised, nutritionally complete and scientifically proven interventions for obesity management. TDRs replace the entire daily diet for a set period, while MRPs substitute one or two main meals per day; both approaches comply with strict EU standards.
These products provide structured, accessible options for safe and effective weight loss, outperforming conventional diets and reducing obesity-related comorbidities that heighten cardiovascular risk. They are particularly valuable for individuals who may be malnourished despite living with obesity.
In pioneering countries, such as the UK, the use of formula diets to treat non-communicable diseases has proven to be both successful and cost-effective to public health systems. This is best exemplified by the innovative NHS Path to Remission Programme which uses slimming foods to help people living with type 2 diabetes and obesity.
The evidence is clear. The Diabetes Remission Clinical Trial (DiRECT) found that a high proportion of participants engaged with a TDR programme for up to 20 weeks, with many maintaining weight loss and diabetes remission after one and two years. Notably, two-thirds of those who maintained more than 10kg weight loss over two years remained in remission.
Additionally, the PREVIEW study, conducted across Europe and Australia, showed that an average 10% weight loss achieved through TDRs followed by a low glycaemic index (GI) diet led to better weight maintenance and reduced diabetes development over time. Meanwhile, the UK-based DROPLET study demonstrated that significant weight loss and improvements in cardiometabolic risk were achievable in a primary care setting through a 12-week TDR programme combined with behavioural support.
These findings represent only a fraction of the available evidence and demonstrate that formula diets are not only effective – they are transformative.
As the consultation closed this September, TDMR Europe stands ready to contribute to a strategy that delivers measurable impact. Formula diet plans offer safe, cost-effective and evidence-based solutions that are already regulated and widely available. By recognising the role of formula diet plans in cardiovascular prevention, the EU can accelerate progress toward its public health goals and build a healthier, more resilient Europe.
Businesses and organisations in the sector interested in finding out more are welcome to reach out to TDMR Europe at secretariat@tdmr-europe.com.