A new report has been released today setting out a framework for an effective corporate response to the global crisis of obesity and consumer health. The report, the first of its kind, prepared by Insight Investment and the International Business Leaders Forum (IBLF), aims to spur food companies to go further in addressing consumer health issues so as to meet the needs of their customers while at the same time protecting shareholder value.

Despite growing awareness in the UK and other developed countries of the seriousness of obesity as a long-term health issue, no proposals have been made until now about how companies might respond comprehensively. IBLF and Insight are concerned that companies risk losing sales and consumers’ trust if they do not help them make healthier eating and lifestyle choices. Very few companies seem to have thought through the potential impact on their businesses of emerging consumer health trends nor to have considered fully how they might capitalise on this market shift, while creating positive social impact.

The new report, ‘A proposed framework for the corporate response to addressing consumer health and obesity’, provides a plan of action for companies. Using good practice examples from 14 of the world's largest food companies, the Insight / IBLF framework covers everything from how companies should act on strategy and governance to marketing policies, portion sizing, salt and sugar content and employee and community sports programmes.

IBLF and Insight are inviting stakeholders, including companies, NGOs and consumer organisations, to review the framework at consultations or to provide their comments by 31 August.

Rachel Crossley, director, investor responsibility at Insight Investment, said, "While companies are increasingly recognising the importance and value of acting responsibly, many in the food sector appear blind to how critical consumer health issues are likely to be to their future business success. Few of the world’s largest food companies appear to have a clear strategy or set of policies to guide their businesses on promoting healthier eating and more active lifestyles. We would like to see companies on the front foot, taking the lead in putting in place best practice policies and initiatives across their businesses to avoid the need for regulatory intervention and a customer backlash. Were companies to adopt this framework, which places obesity and consumer health at the heart of the management agenda, we believe they would be well on their way to making a solid contribution to solving consumer health problems while protecting and enhancing shareholder value."

Olive Boles, Director of IBLF’s HEAL (Healthy Eating & Active Living) Global Partnership programme said, "Consumer health and obesity are crucial public health issues which demand further attention and resources. We are committed to working with companies to develop responsible and effective responses to ensure that the corporate sector is part of the solution to these problems. We hope that this work will go some way towards encouraging the food sector to lead industry as a responsible partner in health issues related to diet and physical activity."