On 15 December 2025, world leaders adopted the political declaration of the Fourth UN High-Level Meeting on the prevention and control of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) and the promotion of mental health and wellbeing (HLM4). In this context, FoodDrinkEurope reaffirms the European food and drink industry’s commitment to public health and to contributing meaningfully to healthier, more sustainable diets. The Political Declaration offers a valuable contribution to the global debate about NCDs and mental health.
The 2025 Political Declaration recognises the continued urgency of tackling NCDs and mental health, and reaffirms the commitments of the 2011, 2014, and 2018 High-Level Meetings. It also underlines the importance of multi-sectoral approaches and calls on the private sector to contribute responsibly.
FoodDrinkEurope’s Director General, Dirk Jacobs, said that “addressing public health requires a holistic approach, grounded in robust evidence, and through a process that engages public health authorities, civil society, health experts, and food and drink makers.”
Across Europe, food and drink manufacturers continue to act through product reformulation and innovation, transparent consumer information, responsible marketing and advertising, and initiatives that encourage healthier living. Food manufacturers work closely with governments through public-private partnerships, delivering tangible progress in reformulation and consumer education at country level. At EU level, this Summer FoodDrinkEurope launched our Action Project for Competitive and Sustainable Food Systems to support businesses, in particular SMEs, in promoting healthier food consumption patterns.
No one sector can achieve the scale of change required on its own. FoodDrinkEurope calls on governments, international organisations, civil society and industry partners to work together to reduce the global burden of NCDs. The European food and drink industry stands ready to play its part in building a healthier, more sustainable, and resilient future for all.
