PROTECT CITIZENS’ HEALTH

Agriculture and Food policies are health policies. The growing body of medical and scientific evidence on the relationship between dietary patterns and non-communicable diseases makes clear that what we eat matters for the health of European citizens and for the sustainability of our healthcare systems. EAT Europe supports policies that promote balanced, diverse and nutritious diets and that contribute to reducing excessive consumption of ultra-processed foods (UPFs). Consumers should be empowered through clear, accessible and evidence-based information rather than through simplistic classifications that fail to capture the complexity of food. At the same time, innovation must never come before safety. New technologies and biotechnology applied to food must be subject to rigorous, independent and transparent scientific assessment, with potential risks properly identified and addressed before products reach consumers. The precautionary principle must remain a cornerstone of European food policy whenever scientific uncertainty prevents a reliable assessment of potential risks. Protecting citizens’ health means acting on evidence, anticipating risks and ensuring that innovation serves people — not the other way around.