Mapping the food environment

RIVM offers recommendations on how to map out the food environment and how it can be changed. This can pertain to such factors as national measures and certain places where food is offered, such as supermarkets. We also work with schools, businesses and other organisations to start projects that encourage healthy and sustainable nutrition, and we deliver the tools to enable success.

National approach: better food choice and supply in supermarkets

• National Approach to Product Improvement

  The National Approach to Product Improvement will help food producers improve the composition of their processed food products, one step at a time . They can do this by lowering the amounts of salt, sugar and saturated fat in a product. Another option is to increase the amount of fibre. The NAPV follows the National Agreement to Improve Product Composition. The goal is to make improvements sooner. Producers must also make improvements to other products. In the coming years, RIVM will monitor the changes in the composition of food products and assess if the targets are being met. Find out more under National Approach to Product Improvement | RIVM.

• Nutri-Score

  The Dutch government introduced the Nutri-Score food choice logo on 1 January 2024. A food choice logo can make it easier for people to make better food choices. That means it can also help lower the number of people who are overweight. This is one of the goals of the National Prevention Agreement. A food choice logo can also motivate producers to make their food products healthier. VWS has asked RIVM to investigate how the Nutri-Score system can be matched as closely as possible to the Dutch dietary guidelines. RIVM will monitor the Nutri-Score as well. Find out more under Nutri-Score | RIVM.

Local approach: stimulating healthy and sustainable nutrition

• Healthy Living Environment Guide

  The Healthy Living Environment Guide was developed for municipalities, provinces, municipal public health services (in Dutch: GGD'en), spatial planning advisers and others who work on creating a healthy living environment. It contains recommendations, guidance, tools and practical examples to include health in environmental policy. The food environment is a subject in the guide (in Dutch).

• Healthy schools, childcare centres and municipalities

  We work with schools, businesses and other organisations to start projects that encourage a healthy lifestyle, including nutrition, and we deliver the tools to enable success.
  Healthy schools (in Dutch)
  Healthy childcare centres (in Dutch)
  Healthy municipalities (in Dutch)
  Healthy living information centre (in Dutch)
   

• Healthy nutrition in care institutions

  Good nutritional care and a healthy nutritional supply in care institutions contribute to the health of patients, visitors and employees. RIVM offers an overview of the effectiveness of various nutritional interventions in care institutions. The focus here is on preventing malnutrition and overweight and promoting healthy nutrition for employees and visitors to care institutions. Find out more under Healthy nutrition in care institutions (in Dutch).

• Sustainable nutrition intervention database

  The current production and consumption of food has a significant impact on the environment and on health. This is why it is necessary to make our consumption pattern more sustainable, for example by eating more plant-based food and eating less meat. Are you a professional involved in this field? Visit the website Loket duurzaam eten (in Dutch) for an overview of interventions you can use.