Antony Burgmans, Unilever chairman: Tackling overweight: a task for society as a whole

These words were spoken today by Antony Burgmans, Unilever chairman, during the annual presentation of the Unilever Research Prizes in Vlaardingen. "Our aim is to be part of the solution instead of part of the problem".

Burgmans painted an alarming picture of the situation: one in every six people in the world is overweight and more people are overweight than underweight. The problem affects not only adults but to an increasing extent children as well. The social consequences of obesity are high: it is the cause of over three-quarters of all cases of type-2 diabetes and of one-third of all cases of cancer and cardio-vascular disease. In some countries ten per cent of the healthcare costs are attributable to overweight.

Although there is a tendency to lay the blame mainly on the foods industry for this, Burgmans said that the causes had to be sought over a much broader front. People are getting less and less exercise: both at work and in the home the jobs we do have been largely mechanised; we use the car or public transport to get about instead of walking or cycling; we relax by playing computer games instead of actively taking part in sports. In the education system the time devoted to gymnastic lessons and swimming lessons is being reduced. On top of this, the higher level of prosperity means that we face ever fewer restrictions when buying foodstuffs, which are also available everywhere, at all times and in many varieties. Campaigns aimed at persuading people to take more exercise have proved ineffective.

Together with the Unilever Health Institute that was set up a few years ago, Unilever has taken the initiative to establish a 'centre of excellence on nutrition, health and functional foods' founded on a strong science base. It meanwhile employs around a hundred people. This Institute, in combination with the research and development capacity of Unilever, is therefore a credible partner in searching for solutions together with recognised and respected parties. Unilever is actively involved in the development of a strategy for diet, physical activity and health by the World Health Organisation (WHO). Becel is working together with the World Heart Foundation. In partnership with Unicef, initiatives are being taken to develop basic foodstuffs fortified with essential substances such as salt or iodine for regions in which these do not occur in the local eating pattern.

According to Burgmans, pursuing a sound and honest policy contributes towards finding solutions. Unilever Bestfoods has committed itself to put foodstuffs on the market that not only taste very good but also promote the quality of life and help the consumer to choose a set of foods that supplements nutritional deficiencies on the one hand and reduces nutritional surpluses on the other. In addition, Unilever is seeking to improve the information that is offered to consumers on the pack.

Burgmans mentioned several examples of 'good for you' products that were put on the market in the recent past: Becel pro·activ margarine, Bertolli olive oil, Slim·Fast dietary products and Hellmann's yoghurt-based mayonnaise. "More than half of our top innovations can be seen as 'health & wellness' products. But that does not mean that all other foods in our portfolio are bad. It's a matter of consuming them in moderation as part of a healthy lifestyle", said Burgmans.

One thing that is important is that the foods industry must be able to make the right claims for foods which have been scientifically proven to promote consumer health. Burgmans had some  slightly critical comments about the proposals that the European Commission had made on this subject. The legislation that was now being proposed was in his view too rigid and would hamper the foods industry in the launching of innovative 'novel foods'. Besides, that legislation imposes needless restrictions on possibilities for informing consumers about the correct usage of foods and the positive effects that they may have on their health.

Unilever Research Prizes

The annual Unilever Research Prizes are aimed at encouraging high-quality scientific research and at promoting good contacts between Unilever and the universities. The prizes, each amounting to €2 500, were presented this year for the 47th time. They are awarded to young students who have carried out important research work in the fields of chemistry, biotechnology, mechanical engineering and social sciences at Dutch universities. By awarding these Research Prizes, Unilever wants to encourage the further development of promising young talent at Dutch universities.

The prizewinners in 2003 are: Martin van den Heuvel (Technological University Eindhoven), Rob Castel (Free-Reformed University Amsterdam), Niels Alting von Geusau (University of Amsterdam), Piet Stalenhoef (University of Amsterdam), Elisabeth Pomp (State University Groningen), Jorien van der Burg (Leiden University), Mark van der Loo (Catholic University Nijmegen), Jorrit de Jong (Twente University), Chantal Christis (Utrecht University), Fleur Oskamp (Technological University Delft), Wiebe de Vos (Wageningen University and Research Centre), Eva Stalpers (Maastricht University), Bernice Fransen (University of Tilburg) and Gerald van den Berghe (Erasmus University Rotterdam).