Main Policies
The main planks of current policy on food and health are covered in the following 6 areas
Eating for Health: A Diet Action Plan for Scotland (1996) sets out the various steps producers, manufacturers, retailers, caterers, the NHS, local authorities and consumers can take on a voluntary basis to improve the Scottish diet. It was shaped by the publication in 1994 of a series of targets for dietary improvement in Scotland to be delivered over the decade to 2005. To meet these targets the plan made a list of key recommendations.
Improving Health in Scotland : The Challenge (2003) provides a wider framework for action to improving the health of the people of Scotland, especially those in our most disadvantaged communities at a faster rate. Healthy eating is one of seven special focus programmes which The Challenge focuses upon.
The HealthyLiving Campaign is an integrated programme of communication and public education to increase demand for, confidence in and skills for healthy eating within the context of a wider health improvement agenda.
Eating for Health: Meeting the Challenge (2004) is a strategic framework for Food and Health developed through dialogue with partner organisations. Building upon the Scottish Diet Action Plan, the framework provides a basis to develop further food and health policy and to guide national and local health action plans. The paper also announces new leadership, communication and consultation structures in the form of a Scottish Food & Health Council and HealthyLiving Food & Health Alliance.
The Scottish Food and Health Council was been formed in order to provide leadership and expert advice and to integrate cross-cutting elements of Scottish Executive Food and Health policy and the strategies of the Food Standards Agency.
The Scottish Executive Health Department and the Food Standards Agency Scotland jointly established the Scottish Food and Health Alliance to support the further implementation of the Scottish Diet Action Plan and emerging Food and Health policies and strategies.