Processed Food And Health In Pacific Island Countries Such As Samoa. Why This Is An Important Issue To Be Addressed

1. 1 Processed Food And Health In Pacific Island Countries Such As Samoa. Why This Is An Important Issue To Be Addressed? The Hon. Gatoloaifaana Amataga Alesana Gidlow Minister of Health, Samoa Global Health Institute Meeting on Adding Value to Pacific Island Foods 5-7 November 2008 Sydney, Australia

2. 2 Background Tonga, Samoa, Vanuatu Ministers of Health Meetings: Highlighted that: Pacific Island Countries recognize the threat of �lifestyle diseases� Their prevention and control are a major concern Recognized the problem is linked to increased intake of processed food of little nutritional value Agreed to: Fast-track food fortification measures in the region Promote messages such as �Eat Local� - to be linked to local situations.

3. 3 In Vanuatu the Ministers of Health agreed that: Improving nutrition from locally available foods - major component of the strategy for Pacific island countries. Fortification of staple foods like flour and rice for populations known to have Vitamin and Mineral deficiencies should become a priority strategy

4. 4 Changing Samoan Food Supply � A Fact Traditional diet Mainly starchy foods like taro, fish and other seafoods, coconut cream, fruits and vegetables Fresh, healthy foods Modern diet Increasing reliance on processed store bought foods Processed foods have social status