The Committee on Medical Aspects of Food
(COMA)
In 1985, the Committee on Medical Aspects of
Food (COMA) formed a working group to enquire into the use of
commercially produced VLCDs in the treatment of obesity. This
remains the most up-to-date guidance on the use of VLCDs in the
UK.
To comply with COMA recommendations,
LighterLife Total:
- Requires participants to have a blood pressure and pulse
taken and a medical Health Questionnaire
Form completed by a GP or healthcare professional before
starting the LighterLife Total VLCD.
- Does not allow anyone with a contraindicated medical condition listed by COMA
to use the LighterLife Total VLCD.
- Requires participants to have a check-up every 28 days while they’re on the
LighterLife Total VLCD. This can be done by a doctor, nurse,
pharmacist or other suitably qualified individual.
For more information on COMA recommendations
regarding very-low-calorie diets, see:
Committee on Medical Aspects of Food
Policy, The Use of Very Low Calorie Diets in Obesity, Report on
Health and Social Subjects No 31, HMSO London (1987).
Scientific Cooperation (SCOOP) Task
Report
A scientific cooperation (SCOOP) task report involves
coordination amongst European Union member states to collect data
on issues regarding food safety.
When looking at very-low-calorie diets, SCOOP made a number of
recommendations.
To comply with SCOOP recommendations, LighterLife Total:
- Uses appropriate nutritional labelling on Foodpacks.
- Doesn’t allow anyone with a contraindicated medical condition listed by SCOOP
to join LighterLife Total.
- Requires participants to have blood pressure and pulse taken
and a medical Health Questionnaire Form
completed by a GP or healthcare professional before starting the
LighterLife Total VLCD.
For more information, see the SCOOP document for Task 7.3
(September 2002) Collection of data on products intended for
use in very-low-calorie diets.
The Codex Alimentarius Commission
Created in 1963, the Codex Commission is an
intergovernmental body jointly sponsored by the Food and
Agriculture Organisation and the World Health
Organisation.
The Codex Commission develops standards aimed
at:
- Protecting consumer health.
- Ensuring fair trade practices in the food trade.
- Promoting coordination of all food standards work undertaken by
international governmental and non-governmental organisations.
The Food Standards Agency represents the UK at
Codex.
To comply with Codex recommendations, the
LighterLife Total VLCD provides:
- A minimum of 50g high quality protein and not less than 50g of
available carbohydrates, per day.
- Not less than 3g of linoleic acid and less than 0.5g
alpha-linolenic acid per day, with the linoleic
acid/alpha-linolenic acid ratio between five and 15.
- The recommended daily intake of vitamins, minerals and trace
elements.
For more information, see the CODEX Standard
for formula foods for use in weight control, CODEX STAN 181-1991,
adopted by the Codex Alimentarius Commission at its 19th Session in
1991.