Grocery Manufacturers Association Statement Regarding HBO “Weight of the Nation” Series

The “Weight of the Nation” series sheds additional light on the important issue of obesity. We look forward to working with HBO and its partners toward the common goal of eliminating obesity in the U.S. and around the world. Obesity is a serious problem and everyone – industry, government, parents, communities and healthcare providers – must do their part if we are going to meet First Lady Michelle Obama’s goal of solving childhood obesity within a generation. America’s food and beverage companies enthusiastically support Mrs. Obama’s goal and in recent years we have accelerated our efforts to provide consumers with the products, tools and information they need to achieve and maintain a healthy lifestyle. Since 2002, we have introduced more than 20,000 new product choices with fewer calories, reduced fat, sodium and sugar, and more whole grains. Through the Healthy Weight Commitment Foundation, we have pledged to remove 1.5 trillion calories from the food supply by 2015. Working through the Children’s Food and Beverage Advertising Initiative (CFBAI), we have voluntarily adopted strict advertising criteria so that 100 percent of CFBAI members’ ads seen on children’s programming today promote healthier diet choices and better-for-you products. And in January 2011, we launched Facts Up Front, a voluntary front-of-pack nutrition labeling system designed to help busy consumers—especially parents—make more informed decisions when they shop. GMA member companies are also committed to providing children with healthier meals in schools, supporting USDA’s recently revised nutrition standards for the National School Lunch and School Breakfast Programs. America’s food and beverage companies have a culture of continuous improvement and innovation, and we will continue to leverage this capability to empower consumers to live healthy and active lifestyles. For more information, please visit the following links: Product reformulation efforts: www.gmaonline.org/issues-policy/health-nutrition/providing-innovative-and-healthy-choices/product-reformulation/ Calorie reduction pledge: www.healthyweightcommit.org/news/Reduce_Annual_Calories/ Facts Up Front labeling program: www.factsupfront.org Our commitment to responsible marketing: www.gmaonline.org/issues-policy/health-nutrition/responsible-marketing/