The Dutch Council for Public Health & Society (RVS) has advised the Ministry of Health to provide financial incentives to supermarkets that offer sufficient healthy food options. Unhealthy eating is the second leading preventable cause of death in the Netherlands, with half of adults currently overweight—a figure expected to rise to 64% by 2050.
Jet Bussemaker, chair of the RVS, highlights that 79% of supermarket food falls outside the national healthy eating guidelines ("Schijf van Vijf"). The RVS proposes a "bonus-malus" system: supermarkets promoting healthy food receive rewards, while those continuing to prioritize unhealthy products may face penalties.
The council suggests creating a committee to develop this system, including measures like reducing salt and fat in store brands and prominently displaying healthy foods. They also advocate for a unified system to measure the healthiness of food offerings.
The RVS hopes this approach will eventually extend to all food vendors, including fast-food outlets and restaurants.
Source: NOS.nl