Nutrition report card gives Alberta a C grade – again
Throne speech mustn’t neglect crucial Liberal pre-pandemic health commitments
CBC
Doug Roth, CEO of Heart & Stroke, writes that the government cannot simply forget its pre-pandemic health commitments, it has an obligation to address pharmacare, charities, food and vaping regulations. Read the article here
Confronting obesity in Canada
Canadian Bar Association – National
The outlook for an improved food environment remains bleak as policymakers focus on stamping out COVID-19 and reviving the economy. While the early Trudeau government prioritized these health measures, it has since backed down when faced with industry opposition — and dire warnings about financial consequences. “For sure, COVID has thrown a monkey wrench in the works,” said Tom Warshawski, chair of the Childhood Obesity Foundation. Once the COVID fire is manageable, Warshawski added, legislation will get back on track. “They will make good. We can’t afford not to.” Read the article here.
The scoop on Unilever’s new marketing commitments
Strategy Magazine
Strategy magazine looks at Unilever’s decision to stop marketing and advertising foods and beverages to children under the age of 12 in traditional media, and below the age of 13 on social media. The article features an interview with Stop Marketing to Kids Coalition co-chair Manuel Arango. Read the article here
It costs Canada $9B to treat obesity, while barely any money is put into preventative care
The National Post
In Canada obesity-related health care costs are as high as $7 billion and are projected to increase to nearly $9 billion by 2021. But experts say many of these costs are a result of the health care system’s failure to properly treat obesity. Rather than taking a proactive approach, the system is instead set up to treat conditions that develop as a result of the disease which results in more money being spent in the long-run. Read the article here
How sugar dies in Canada — and umami thrives everywhere else
CBC
Overview on restrictions on marketing to children and the rise and fall of Bill S-228 due to extensive industry lobbying and procedural play. Listen to CBC’s Cost of Living Episode 6 here.
Weight Coalition finds too many companies are marketing junk food to kids
CTV News Montreal
To fix health care, start by making us less sick
CBC News
Yves Savoie, CEO of the Heart & Stroke and Nick Saul, CEO of Community Food Centres Canada write that Canadians are getting sicker at unprecedented and crisis-level rates as a result of the food we eat that is far too often high in saturated fat, salt and/or sugar, as well as a host of additives and emulsifiers. All ingredients that are common in ultra-processed foods. Read OpED here.
The Current with Laura Lynch: Childhood Obesity
CBC Radio
Coalition co-chair, Dr. Tom Warshawki on CBC radio’s The Current with Hannah Brinsden of the World Obesity Federation discussing childhood obesity and reasonable policy interventions to protect children’s rights to health. You can listen to the interview here.