Research Details How Junk Food Companies Influence China’s Nutrition Policy

New York Times

Coca-Cola and other multinational food and beverage companies have influenced public health policy in China to focus on exercise and strategically omit recommendations about cutting back ultra-processed foods and sugary beverages. Coca-Cola and other industry giants such as Nestle, McDonald’s, PepsiCo. and Yum! brands fund a group called the International Life Sciences Institute (ILSI) which operates inside the government’s Centre for Disease Control and Prevention in Beijing. 

Also covered in The Guardian | Retweet Jeff Chester (Centre for Digital Democracy)

Study finds that advertisements contribute to children’s consumption of sugary cereal 

The Dartmouth 

Children aren’t pestering their parents for sugary cereal just because of the taste. A new study by a team of researchers from the Geisel School of Medicine found that television advertisements aimed at young viewers are contributing to preschoolers’ consumption of high-sugar cereals. 

“Children don’t have the mental and cognitive capacity to critically analyze content. They don’t know what an advertisement or persuasion is” – Dr. Jennifer Emond

Read article here…  

Also covered in Food Navigator, CBC Philly and Science Daily
Retweet Centre for Commercial Free Childhood

‘Big Juice’ under pressure from push back against high-sugar beverages

CBC News

“Big Juice” has been pushing back by lobbying federal ministers and decision makers “unintended consequences” of an industry that’s “under threat.” Currently, Canada’s  Food Guide advises a half cup of juice as being the same as a serving of fruit or vegetables. Manuel Arango, Director of Health Police at Heart and Stroke says, “Equating a fruit with a glass of juice is just bananas”. Read article here…

Retweet Heart & Stroke

Marking food choices should be easier

The Star 

Anna Pippus, a lawyer specializing in food law and policy, writes about the importance of policy tools in shaping Canadians’ diets.

Read article here…

Opinion: Education, tougher standards can help end diabetes epidemic

Montreal Gazette 

Opinion piece from Jan Hux, MD, is President and CEO, Diabetes Canada. “Canadians desperately need help to optimize their health. The establishment of the federal Healthy Eating Strategy (HES) is a step in the right direction.” Benefits of front-of-package labelling, the new food guide, and Bill S-228 are briefly discussed.

Read article here…

Big Food versus Canada’s Food Guide

CFJC Today

“The interests of the food industry don’t always coincide with healthy eating. What’s at stake is Canada’s new food guide”. Read article here… 

Junk food ads to be banned in all London tube stations from next year, says Sadiq Khan

Independent News
A great display of leadership by London’s Mayor, Sadiq Khan. On Friday, the city announced that as of February 2019, the city of London (England) will ban junk food advertising across all public transportation network. 

  • “It’s clear that advertising plays a huge part in the choices we make, whether we realise it or not, and Londoners have shown overwhelming support for a ban on adverts for junk food and drink on our transport network.” Mayor Sadiq Khan

Sample Tweet: Retweet Dr. Alexey Kulikov (links to article from The Gaurdian) | Retweet World Cancer Research Fund UK

Open Letter: Passage of Bill S-228 – restricting marketing of junk food to children

Hill Times

An Open Letter addressed to Canadian Senators from Heart and Stroke signed by a group of medical doctors, public health and nutrition experts.

Except: “As a group of medical doctors, public health and nutrition experts concerned about the millions of children living in Canada that will be affected by diet-related disease we are writing to express our support for the speedy passage of Bill S-228. This legislation proposes to restrict the marketing of junk foods to children 12 years and under and was spearheaded by your former Senate colleague Nancy Greene Raine…

Many Senators have heard pleas from the food and beverage industry, however, it’s important that we speak up for those that this legislation will protect; our children. Let’s be clear about the facts: Read full letter here…

 

Health Canada changes how rules for marketing food to kids will be applied

iPolitics

“Health Canada says it’s tweaking how new rules will be applied that restrict how food is marketed to kids, in response to the food industry’s fear that, under new legislation, foods like bread, yogurt and cheese would be labelled “unhealthy”. Read article here... 

Canadian Common Sense – Bill S-228

Global News Radio

A great interview with one of our Coalition’s Co-Chairs, Dr. Tom Warshawski talking about the concerns around food and beverage marketing to children and the Senate delay. Listen here… 
Sample Tweet: Retweet Albert Policy Coalition