TABLE 1.

Proposed Standards for Self-Regulatory Activities of the Food Industry

Aim	Standard
Transparency	Transparent self-regulatory standards created by a combination of scientists (not paid by industry) and representatives of leading nongovernmental organizations, parties involved in global governance (e.g., World Health Organization, United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization), and industry
	No one party given disproportionate power or voting authority
Meaningful objectives and benchmarks	Specific codes of acceptable behaviors based on scientifically justified criteria
	Predefined benchmarks to ensure the success of self-regulation
Accountability and objective evaluation	Mandatory public reporting of adherence to codes, including progress toward achievement of full compliance with pledges and attainment of key benchmarks
	Built-in and transparent procedures for outside parties to register objections to self-regulatory standards or their enforcement
	Objective evaluation of self-regulatory benchmarks by credible outside groups not funded by industry to assess health, economic, and social outcomes
	Periodic assessments/audits to determine compliance and outcomes
Oversight	Possible oversight by an appropriate global regulatory or health body (e.g., World Health Organization)