Along with United Diabetes Forum, McCann Health has developed the concept of the ‘Blue Dot’, which will signal to diners that an item on the menu is diabetes-friendly, much like the green dot signals vegetarian food.
The definition of Blue Dot was arrived at after detailed deliberations by a panel comprised of expert panel set up by United Diabetes Forum. The panel includes noted diabetologists and endocrinologists, nutritionists, besides a psychologist and a statistician. It was first constituted in June 2015.
The idea was then presented to chefs, restaurant associations, lawyers, food technicians, government bodies, food inspectors, FMCG organisations and pharmaceutical companies. A consensus paper is due for publication shortly informed an agency statement.
The Blue Dot was launched on World Health Day, 7 April 2016, with Holiday Inn and Sahara Star in Mumbai being the participating hotels. Collaterals such as posters and tent cards announced the launch. In line with the Blue Dot definition, the chefs created diabetes-friendly items that were offered as part of the buffet.
“The advent of Blue Dot is a notable achievement for a nation with over 60 million diabetes patients. In sum, it represents a revolution in diabetes care” says Dr. Harshit Jain, SVP and country head, McCann Health.
Going forward, United Diabetes Forum and McCann Health intend to take the idea national, and claim to have lined up more hotels and restaurants for the same. In the longer term, they keen to take it international.
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