When it comes to living a long life, one country in particular has outranked the rest in terms of lifestyle, earning the title of Healthiest Country in the World (hint: the Mediterranean-diet-loving country has ranked healthiest in the world despite a struggling economy and high unemployment, according to the newly released Bloomberg Global Health Index). However it’s not the only country on the list…
Which is the Healthiest Country in the World?
The country is world famous for its food (along with its leather, wine, art, and culture in general), and sits right on the Mediterranean.
Did you guess it?
The recent Bloomberg Global Health Index has ranked Italy as the healthiest country in the world out of 163 total countries.
The index is based on variables such as life expectancy, causes of death and various health risks including high blood pressure, malnutrition, the availability of clean water and tobacco use.
While the Mediterranean country is among the most developed countries in Europe (and the world), growth has become stagnant for decades. Almost 40 percent of the country’s young population is out of jobs, and it has one of the world’s highest debt loads relative to the size of its economy.
Despite this Italians are in better shape than Americans, Canadians and the British, exhibiting lower blood pressure and cholesterol overall. Those two factors are likely attributed to the classic Italian diet that’s rich in vegetables, extra virgin olive oil, lean meats and fish.
A baby born in Italy can expect to live to their 80’s, but babies in countries at the bottom of the Health Index ranking will have roughly 30 fewer years on Earth. In Sierra Leone for example, the average newborn will die by 52.
In the running for healthiest country in the world, the United States placed number 34, with a health grade of 73.05 out of 100. As has been known for some time now, the U.S. stands as one of the world’s heaviest nations. Poorer states including Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama and West Virginia are considered among the least healthy in the country. More than 35% of people in their respective populations’ are categorized as obese according to U.S Centers of Disease Control.
While it’s true that we have some work to do when it comes to competing to be the healthiest country in the world, there are examples we can look to in terms of healthy lifestyles, Italy included.
So what other countries of the world rank among the healthiest? Check out the list below, and consider adding them to your next travel itinerary!
Healthiest Country In The World – The Bloomberg Global Health Index Top 20
1. Italy (93.11) | 6. Spain (89.19) | 11. Norway (86.81) | 16. Germany (84.78) |
2. Iceland (91.21) | 7. Japan (89.15) | 12. Austria (86.34) | 17. Canada (84.57) |
3. Switzerland (90.75) | 8. Sweden (88.92) | 13.Netherlands(85.83) | 19.NewZealand(84.48) |
4. Singapore (90.23) | 9. Israel (88.14) | 14. France (85.59) | 20. Greece (84.28) |
5. Australia (89.24) | 10.Luxembourg(87.87) | 15. Finland (84.80) |
Healthiest Country In The World – The Italian DOP Label
Italy has claimed the title of healthiest country in the world for some time now, and according to the U.S. FDA, it has been among the top 10 leading food suppliers to the United States for years.
Forecasts also estimate a growth in imports of Italian products. Currently the most imported food products from Italy are wine, olive oil, cheese and pasta.
But what makes Italian food so different? For one thing, it is classified according to certain requirements pertaining to quality.
Just as Italians classify wine with labels like DOC and DOCG, they also certify high-quality foods from Italy with a similar label: DOP. The abbreviation DOP is short for Denominazione di Origine Protetta (literally translated to “Protected Designation of Origin”).
As the name suggests, this certification ensures that products are locally grown and packaged. It’s a guarantee that the food was made by local farmers and artisans, using traditional methods, and meeting specific requirements.
Want to make sure you’re incorporating some of these into your diet?
Be on the lookout for some common foods holding the DOP certificate, including Mozzarella di bufala, balsamic vinegar, San Marzano tomatoes, olive oil, basil, Parmigiano Reggiano, and prosciutto di Parma.
DOP labels provide important and relevant information to consumers, both about the product and the brand associated with the labeled food. When importing Italian products, translating Italian food labels and localizing their nutritional information to the U.S. culture, some important factors must be considered in order to stay true to the information provided by the labels.
This is also true for any foreign food label translation.
Foreign Food Label Translation
Translating a food label can be quite different to other forms of translation, in that there are both marketing aspects and required wording for legal compliance.
It is important to be aware that there are very country-specific references and plays on words are not likely to work when the text is translated. Sometimes the line between compliance and marketing can be very thin.
For example, for an English product with the word “slim” in the title, it will be necessary to establish the slimming properties of the product. Any claims of slimming effects will likely need to be substantiated in each target market, and different countries may have different requirements about the use of the word (if the product itself does not demonstrate clearly that it can, indeed, have a slimming effect).
How Do You Ensure An Accurate Food Label Translation?
It is important to use translators who are experienced in marketing translation to ensure that the message of each label is conveyed clearly to the target audience. However, the legal aspect of the translation must also be considered.
Many countries have strict legal requirements about the nutritional information that appears on food products. Translating the list of ingredients and the warnings of potential allergens incorrectly can mean non-compliance for the product and serious risks for the consumers.
Each regulatory authority may have different regulations, for example, the CFDA (China Food and Drug Administration) has a very particular set of requirements when it comes to “health foods” (known in the U.S. as a dietary supplement). Firstly they must be registered before importing, manufacturing, or selling.
There are also extremely strict guidelines (put in place circa 2015) in terms of what must be included on labels and instruction manuals if applicable. These cover identifying suitable crowds (for use) and label formats among other things.
Not adhering to these requirements is met by a hefty penalty. Therefore, it’s essential that the food packaging and labeling is as clear and accurate as possible.
Any documents from foreign countries accompanying these supplement items must also be translated into Chinese, and notarized by a Chinese notary department. Product quality standards also must be in line with Chinese quality standards.
In order to ensure delivering both a good brand message, and the accurate legal requirements designated by the target market’s government, you need a translator knowledgeable about both areas.
Being familiar with food and nutritional regulations, or on the other hand familiar with good branding, comes with industry specialization and experience working on a variety of projects. In order to feel confident in your translation, you want a translator who demonstrates this.
Good quality translation services are an investment worth making when it comes to selling your food products abroad. After all, we are all consumers at the end of the day – one of the reasons we place so much value on food coming from the healthiest country in the world is because we know it will be of high quality and better for us health-wise.
Knowing what’s in our food is necessary in order to adapt certain changes that make us healthier!
Learn more about our Life Sciences Translation, Legal Translation, Marketing Translation Services and Localization Services!
Written by Raquel Gonzalez, Marketing Intern at Language Connections
Sources:
- https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2017-03-20/italy-s-struggling-economy-has-world-s-healthiest-people
- https://www.ers.usda.gov/data-products/us-food-imports/
- https://www.fda.gov/Food/GuidanceRegulation/GuidanceDocumentsRegulatoryInformation/LabelingNutrition/ucm064866.htm
- http://www.thechefandthedish.com/single-post/2016/10/25/What-is-DOP-Understanding-Italian-Food-Labels
- http://www.cirs-reach.com/news-and-articles/the-new-guidance-of-dietary-supplement-registration-in-china-2015.html
- http://burdockgroup.com/dietary-supplements-in-the-u-s-and-abroad-similarities-and-differences/
- http://www.cirs-reach.com/news-and-articles/the-new-guidance-on-the-label-of-dietary-supplement.html
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