Dannon makes year one progress in PHA commitments

THE Dannon Company said it has achieved significant progress in three of its four goals in line with its commitment with the Partnership for a Healthier America (PHA).

The company has made progress after the first year (July 2013–June 2014) of partnership in the areas of nutrition research and education, sugar reduction, and fat reduction. It also announced during the 2015 Building a Healthier Future Summit that it has yet to achieve progress in its goal to improve overall nutrient density.

For its three-year commitment target of $3 million investment in nutrition education and research focused on healthy eating habits by 2016, Dannon has generated more than $1 million during the first year. With this investment, Dannon has developed education programmes for health care providers such as WIC nutrition counsellors and consumers on the benefits of low-fat and nonfat yoghurt. The company is on track to meet the $3 million goal to support education about better-eating habits.

According to Dannon Corporate Affairs vice president Philippe Caradec, “As a company that values education and research, we are investing in behaviour change and educational programmes that make a positive impact and align with our mission. We partnered with the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, the American Academy of Pediatrics, and others to support programmes that provide health and nutrition education for health care professionals as well as directly to parents and their kids."

Under its sugar reduction commitment, the company must decrease the amount of total sugar to 23g or less per 6-ounce serving in 100% of products for children and 70% of all products by 2016.

Dannon has exceeded the sugar reduction target in products overall, with 76% of its range complying with the requirement. Amongst its products for children, 91% are already compliant. The company’s newly introduced Danimals Squeezables for kids is low-fat and conforms to the reduced sugar standard of the PHA commitment. 

For its fat reduction objectives, Dannon committed to 75% of its products being nonfat or low-fat. Currently, 69% of the firm’s products are compliant.

The company has recently unveiled the Oikos Triple Zero. The Greek yoghurt complies with the fat reduction target and contains zero added sugars, zero artificial sweeteners, and zero fat.

Dannon’s PHA commitment also included a 10% improvement in nutrient density across its product portfolio through an increase in important nutrients such as vitamin D and a decrease in total sugar and fat. The company has made some progress in reducing sugar and fat but failed to make significant strides in advancing the total nutrient density score. This is because of the changes in the mix of products the company sold to include a greater number of products that did not have added vitamin D.

Dannon is, however, confident it will meet the nutrient density component of its commitment by 2016.

"We are pleased with the progress we've made," said Dannon president and CEO Mariano Lozano. "Our commitment to PHA has resonated deeply with our 1,400 employees and has energised nearly all to become ambassadors for nutrition. Having completed year one of our multiyear commitment, we continue to build momentum behind our mission to bring health through food to as many people as possible, and we feel strongly that with the Dietary Guidelines for Americans under development now is the time for a recommendation that Americans eat one yoghurt every day. Specific to our PHA commitment, we set ambitious goals and we still have a lot to accomplish in the remaining two years," Mr. Lozano stated.

The company's commitment goals are based on the latest nutrition science and authoritative guidance from the Institute of Medicine (IOM) and the 2010 Dietary Guidelines for Americans (DGA) recommending the consumption of more nutrient-dense foods, which provide more vitamins and minerals such as potassium and vitamin D, and less fat, sugar, and salt. Most yoghurts, which are already nutrient-dense, provide calcium, potassium, and Vitamin D, three of the four nutrients of public health concern most lacking in American diets as identified by the 2010 DGA.

Dannon will participate in the PHA Summit for the second consecutive year. It will sponsor the "Yogurt Power Lunch," which will feature nutrient-dense recipes and showcase the many ways to cook with and enjoy yoghurt daily. The recipes from the lunch and information on how yoghurt can encourage healthy eating, including the consumption of fruits and vegetables, will be available at the Dannon booth in the Expo Hall.

"Dannon is extremely proud to stand alongside PHA as a partner, and we look forward to our ongoing collaboration to contribute to a healthier America. We encourage Americans to eat one yoghurt every day to help improve their diet," said Lozano. He added the company will continue to explore education and research opportunities and improve the nutrient profile of its products.

According to PHA CEO Lawrence A. Soler, "Dannon has made a significant commitment to making healthier food choices easier for millions of busy parents and families. Dannon's dedication to this effort is a testament to its leadership in our important work to address the childhood obesity crisis."

White Plains, New York-headquartered The Dannon Company offers more than 200 different flavours, styles, and sizes of cultured refrigerated and frozen dairy products. A subsidiary of Danone, Dannon is the top-selling brand of yoghurt globally sold under the names Dannon and Danone. The company has production plants in Minster, OH, Fort Worth, TX, West Jordan, UT, and Portland, OR.

Created in 2010 in conjunction with but independent from First Lady Michelle Obama's Let's Move! Effort, PHA works with the private sector to address children obesity concerns and ensure the health of America’s youth. This nonpartisan, nonprofit organisation is led by some of the most respected health and childhood obesity experts in the U.S. It works with unbiased, third parties to monitor commitments and report publicly on the progress made by its partners.

PHA is expected to release the yearly progress report for all commitment partners by May. Click for details about Dannon’s 2014 commitment with PHA.