Health organizations are urging Ottawa to move forward with the proposed food warning labels, expressing concern that further discussion on minced meat could delay a critical program that is already long overdue. From 2016, Health Canada promises to implement a program that would require packaged foods high in sugar, salt or saturated fat to carry a warning label. The government plans to publish its plan in the coming weeks. But as this timetable approaches, concerns in the meat industry that minced meat would be labeled “high in saturated fat” have gained momentum. Last week, representatives of the meat industry, the Alberta provincial government and federal Conservative MPs called for a public exemption from the minced meat – and urged Ottawa to stop the process altogether. However, according to health groups – including those who support the exclusion of minced meat – any delay would be wrong. Breeders counteract Health Canada’s proposed minced meat warning label “Seven years of discussion have passed,” said Manuel Arango, director of health policy and defense at the Heart and Stroke Foundation. He has been involved throughout the process with Health Canada – participating in numerous meetings and consultations with the food industry. watching as the government promised the labeling program in two election campaigns and four letters of order from the Minister of Health. “The volume of discussions and consultations that have taken place on this issue is almost unparalleled,” he said. “So we are very wary of people asking for more time for consultations and discussions, because that is a tactic of delay.” A spokesman for Diabetes Canada also urged a “quick start” for the program. “We encourage the federal government to consider exceptions where the evidence supports them,” said Ann Besner, senior director of Diabetes Canada. in this country. “ Ms Besner said labels would not only help consumers make better choices, but also push food manufacturers to reshape their products to healthier ones. In a statement, Health Canada did not specifically address concerns about possible delays. Instead, the department stressed that the program “is widely recognized by health organizations as an effective tool for tackling rising rates of chronic diet-related diseases in Canada.” The statement also emphasizes that exceptions are provided only under certain conditions. Currently, about a quarter of Canadian adults are classified as obese. And the cost of diet-related diseases in the health care system is $ 26 billion each year. It is also responsible for 36,000 deaths annually. The government’s labeling proposal, first introduced in 2016, was designed to help address this health crisis. The current “nutrition” table for food has long been criticized as misdesigned, inconsistent and confusing. The new labels will be required for all foods high in sugar, salt or saturated fat – any pre-packaged food with more than 15 percent of the recommended daily allowance. In Chile, where similar labels are already in use, the program has led to a 25 percent reduction in purchases of sugary drinks. About 37 percent of Chileans say their labels have helped them make better food choices. However, since the announcement of the proposal in Canada, government officials have come under intense pressure from the food industry. The government has already stated that it intends to allow exemptions for many products, including certain dairy and whole grains – in particular, raw one-ingredient meat. However, minced meat, which is considered “poorly processed”, was not included in the exceptions. A representative of the Canadian Dietitians said that the organization has no place for minced meat. But Erin McGregor, a registered dietitian, said an exception would make sense – putting a warning label on minced meat would be “oversimplification”. “Minced meat is a nutrient-rich choice, with strict labeling requirements already in place for fat content,” he said, referring to existing labels “moderate”, “lean” and “extremely lean”. “If part of the labeling order on the front of the package is to help Canadians reduce their dependence on highly processed foods, it does not make much sense to warn consumers about foods that will help them do just that,” he said. . In both Chile and Mexico (which also has a similar labeling program), minced meat is excluded. Mr. Arango, of the Heart and Stroke Foundation, echoed Ms. MacGregor’s feelings. “It’s not whole, little processed – what I would call ‘real food’ is the problem,” said Mr Arango. “They are extremely processed foods.” To that end, he said, it is imperative that the labels be put in place without delay. “We have to finish it, because people need to be informed about what is in their food. Of [currently] “It’s very difficult for a lot of people – people with low literacy rates, poor eyesight, the elderly, newcomers,” he said. “What is at stake is the health of Canadians.” Your time is precious. Deliver the Top Business Headlines newsletter to your inbox in the morning or evening. Register today.
