Local organic food is on its way to replace imported noodles, canned goods, and junk foods on the dine table of Vanuatu. The tourism council in the remote Pacific island nation of Vanuatu is ready to uphold the prohibition of all imported foods in government functions and tourist establishments.
According to New York Times, the said ban it to take its effect in March 2017. The purpose of the ban is to promote local products and healthy diet while reducing the rate of obesity. Pacific Island Nations is currently battling increasing rates of obesity due to overconsumption of junk foods.
Furthermore, Luke Dini, the Chairman of Torba Tourism Council stated that the ban approach is a response to diabetes and other diseases that was observed in Vanuatu's capital, Port-Vila. The final decision to identify what specific products are to be eliminated will be made by the national government.
As reported by World Health Organization (WHO), the food preference (processed food) is one of the major factors of the high prevalence of obesity and heart problems in Pacific Islands. From the 10 Pacific Island countries, more than 50 percent of the population is overweight.
Health problems in Pacific Island will really require changes in food imports and other policies. Experts reiterated that the region's health crisis was because of the shift in the citizen's diet; from traditional dine to meals high in sugar, refined starch and processed foods.
In an attempt to reduce health risks, taxes were actually carried with sugar-sweetened and even tobacco products. However, Dr. Wendy Snowdon, a WHO official stated that taxes, prohibitions, counseling, education, food labeling and school-nutrition programs have not significantly decreased the region's overall risk and prevalence of obesity and other conditions.
Mr. Dini, on the other hand stated that it is the government's role to protect the youth from preventable diseases. As such the consumption of candy, tinned meats, and other imported foods by the young people should also be taken into account. The Chairman of Torba Tourism Council also left a striking message wherein the government should make decisions based on the welfare of the future generations.
