Hungary

Trans-fat policy

The content of trans fat, other than trans fat naturally occurring in fat of animal origin, in food intended for the final consumer and food intended for supply to retail, shall not exceed 2 grams per 100 grams of fat.

School Fruit, Vegetables and Milk Scheme

"Applicable since 1 August 2017, the EU school fruit, vegetables and milk scheme combines two previous schemes (the school fruit and vegetables scheme and the school milk scheme) under a single legal framework for more efficiency and an enhanced focus on health and educational. The scheme supports the distribution of products, educational measures and information measures. The scheme supports the distribution of fruit, vegetables, milk and certain milk products to schoolchildren, from nursery to secondary school. EU countries approve a list of products (in collaboration with their health and nutrition authorities) which will help achieve the schemes objective of helping children to follow a healthy diet. Priority is for fresh fruit and vegetables and for plain milk. In order to support a varied diet and/or specific nutritional needs, EU countries may also make processed fruit and vegetables such as juices and soups and certain milk products such as yoghurt and cheese, available. Additionally, under stricter conditions, milk-based drinks may be included." - EU Commission

EU nutrient content lists

Passed in 2011, EU Regulation 1169/2011 on the Provision of Food Information to Consumers requires a list of the nutrient content of most pre-packaged food to be provided on the back of the pack from 13 December 2016.

Feel4Diabetes

The overall aim of the Feel4Diabetes programme was "developing and implementing a community-based intervention to promote behavioural changes and creating a more supportive social and physical environment to prevent diabetes in vulnerable families across Europe". The programme was in place in Finland, Belgium, Spain, Hungary, Bulgaria, and Greece.

European Union (EU) Action Plan on Childhood Obesity 2014-2020

EU Action plan. To contribute to halting the rise in overweight and obesity in children and young people (0-18 years) by 2020

Decree on Trans Fats

The 2013 decree in Hungary set a limit of 2 grams per 100 grams of fat.

Regulations on the quantity of trans fats allowed in foods

Regulations on the quantity of trans fat allowed in certain amounts of foodstuffs.

Codex Alimentarius Hungaricus

Since 2012, Hungary have had legislation in place which sets mandatory limits on the maximum salt content in certain bakery products.

Ministerial Decree 20/2012 (VIII. 31.) on the Operation of the Educational Institutions

This decree was introduced in 2012, and sets mandatory regulations that all products included in the Public Health Product Tax (see Taxation/Subsidies section) are forbidden from being sold in schools and at school events.

Obesity treatment guidelines

In 2012, The Hungarian Society of Obesitology and Movement Therapy released obesity treatment guidelines 'Professional and organizational guidelines for the treatment of obesity'.

Evaluation of the EU school milk and fruit scheme

European Court of Auditors (2011) Are the school milk and school fruit schemes effective? Special Report No 10. Publications Office of the European Union, Luxembourg.

Public Health Product Tax

Tax on a series of unhealthy products: certain soft drinks, energy drinks, pre-packed sweetened products, salty snacks and condiments It has the specific health objectives of promoting both healthier food consumption by individuals and product reformulation by manufacturers.

Senior Walking Club

Aims to increase moderate physical activity of retired Hungarians by forming walking groups.

Eco-school

"The Ministry of Education and Culture and the Ministry of Rural Development have commonly created the title ‘Eco-school’ so that the principles of sustainability, environmental consciousness and development appear the most effectively possible in educational institutes." Schools in Hungary can apply for 'eco-school' certification upon meeting a series of criteria. Eco-schools include principles of healthy eating and sustainability.

The Hungarian Aqua Promoting Programme in the Young (HAPPY)

HAPPY aims to reduce the excessive consumption of sugary drinks and to popularise water consumption among primary school students.

Happy Week

Annual national kindergarten-school program, in which thousands of children take part every year, draws the attention of young people to quench their thirst with water instead of sugary soft drinks in order to preserve their health

National strategy for sport 2007–2020

A strategy which includes recommendations on levels of physical activity

EU health and nutrient claims regulation

Regulation nº 1924/2006 establishes EU-wide rules on the use of specified health and nutrient claims. The European Commission approves claims provided they are based on scientific evidence and accessible consumers. The European Food Safety Authority is responsible for evaluating the scientific evidence supporting health claims. Nutrition claims may only be used on food defined as "healthy" by a nutrient profile.

Green Kindergarten Network

A network of Kindergartens in Hungary who have been awarded the 'Green Kindergarten' certification by achieving a set of criteria relating to sustainability and healthy lifestyle.

IDEFICS - Identification and prevention of Dietary- and lifestyle-induced health EFfects In Children and infantS

"A community-oriented intervention programme for primary prevention of obesity in a controlled study design. This intervention part of the IDEFICS study examined feasibility, effectiveness and sustainability of a coherent set of intervention modules addressing diet, physical activity and coping with stress."

Dietary Guidelines in Hungary

Nutrition and physical activity guidelines

Hungarian Ministries of Health, Agriculture and Education released updated Food-based dietary guidelines in 2004, including obesity strategy (see linked website). Hungarian physical activity guidelines also published in 2015 - Physical Education Strategies in Health Development Provisions (see linked document).

'Johan Bela', National programme for the decade of Health

This document, issued by the Hungarian Ministry of Health in 2003, updates and expands the public health programme “For a Healthy Nation”. The overall goal of the national programme is to give all Hungarian citizens the opportunity to live as healthy as possible. This was translated in the goal to increase life expectancy at birth by three years for both genders within ten years

Did the junk food tax make the Hungarians eat healthier?

Bíró A (2015) Did the junk food tax make the Hungarians eat healthier? Food Policy, 54, 107-115

Unhealthy commercial marketing

"Hungary has legislation in place on the basic conditions for and restrictions on advertising, which prohibits marketing in any kind of institutions caring for children under the age of 14 years. Act XLVIII of 2008 prohibits commercial advertising in child welfare and protection institutions, kindergartens, elementary schools and elementary school dormitories. Such prohibition does not apply, however, to the advertising of activities and events related to a healthy lifestyle and to displaying the names, trademarks and other designations of those organizing such activities and events, as long as the display is directly related to these activities and events. An advertising code of ethics, developed by the Self-regulated Marketing Body, also exists." - WHO