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Report

31 Mar 2014

Author:
Anand Grover, UN Special Rapporteur on Right to Health, United Nations General Assembly

Report: Unhealthy foods, non-communicable diseases and the right to health

In the report submitted to the Human Rights Council pursuant to its resolution 24/6, the Special Rapporteur on the right of everyone to the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health draws links between unhealthy foods and diet- related non-communicable diseases (NCDs). The Special Rapporteur highlights the urgent need for States to address structural changes in the food environment, which negatively impact individuals’ enjoyment of the right to adequate and nutritious food an underlying determinant of the right to health. Global trade, increased foreign direct investment (FDI) in the food sector and the pervasive marketing of unhealthy foods have increased the consumption of unhealthy foods, which have been linked to diet-related NCDs...The right to health framework... provides that while only State parties to the Covenant are thus ultimately accountable for compliance with it, all members of society as well as the private business sector have responsibilities regarding the realization of the right to health. In the context of business corporations and TNCs, several guidelines have been adopted internationally that clarify that business corporations and TNCs have the responsibility to respect human rights, which includes the right to health.