WHO/Europe will convene a joint meeting of the European Salt Action Network (ESAN) and the Sugar and Calorie Reduction Network (SCRN) on 2–3 June 2026 to strengthen action on creating healthier food environments across the WHO European Region.
Organized and supported by WHO/Europe’s Prevention and Health Promotion Division, the meeting will be chaired by Switzerland and the United Kingdom and hosted by the Danish Veterinary, Food, Agriculture and Fisheries Agency together with the Nordic Council of Ministers.
The meeting will bring together representatives from Member States, policy-makers, technical experts and public health specialists working in nutrition and noncommunicable disease (NCD) prevention. Participants will exchange experiences, discuss evidence and implementation challenges, and explore policy approaches to support healthier food environments through food reformulation and related nutrition policies.
High consumption of salt, sugar and excess calories remains a major driver of NCDs, including cardiovascular diseases, type 2 diabetes, obesity and some cancers. Reformulation of food products is recognized by WHO as a cost-effective “best buy” intervention to improve diets and population health outcomes. However, approaches across the Region vary considerably, with countries facing different challenges related to policy design, governance, industry engagement, target setting, monitoring and accountability mechanisms.
By bringing together the complementary mandates of ESAN and SCRN, the meeting will provide a dedicated technical platform for Member States to reassess current nutrition policy needs and priorities, share lessons learned, and identify opportunities to accelerate coordinated action to reduce salt, sugar and calorie intake across the Region.
The discussions will contribute to implementation of the Second European Programme of Work 2026–2030, particularly its focus on tackling NCDs and addressing the wider drivers of health through stronger prevention policies across sectors.
During the meeting, participants will:
- reassess needs, concerns and lessons learned related to nutrition policy and reformulation;
- explore opportunities to strengthen healthier food environments and advance reformulation efforts; and
- exchange experiences on translating evidence into effective policy action.