Tanzania, Sept. 11 -- Dar es Salaam. The International Council of Beverages Associations (ICBA) Africa has called for evidence-based dialogue in shaping nutrition and food policies, particularly on the use of low- and no-calorie sweeteners as countries seek to reduce sugar consumption.

The call follows a series of roundtable discussions held in South Africa, Tanzania, Ghana and Nigeria, bringing together regulators, scientists, public health experts, industry representatives and other stakeholders to examine the evidence surrounding low- and no-calorie sweeteners.

ICBA Africa executive director Iddah Asin said the engagements were intended to provide a platform for stakeholders to discuss the role of sweeteners in nutrition policy while...