Friend to Dietitians for Professional Integrity Dr. Yoni Freedhoff - Weighty Matters of Ottawa shares news today of the Heart and Stroke Foundations (HSF -- Canadas equivalent of the American Heart Association) new position statement, titled Sugar, Heart Disease, and Stroke. Some highlights: * The position statement goes on to provide a slew of recommendations... here are just a smattering: For Consumers: •Limiting restaurant meals out •Limiting processed foods •A call to return to cooking from fresh, whole, ingredients For the Federal Government: •Adopting the HSFs proposed sugar thresholds •Restricting marketing of all foods and beverages to children •Taxing sugar sweetened beverages and using funds generated therein to subsidize fruits and vegetables •Avoiding public health partnerships with producers and suppliers of foods high in free sugars For Provincial Governments: •Taxing sugar sweetened beverages and using funds generated therein to subsidize fruits and vegetables. •Adopting a Bloomberg style large cup ban (if you want to drink a litre of Coke, youll still be able to, youll just need to buy two cups)! For Municipal Governments, Regional Health Authorities, Workplaces and Schoolboards •Adopting a Bloomberg style large cup ban in food service outlets •Banning sugar-loaded beverages in recreation centres, hospitals and schools •Ensuring potable drinking water made more readily available in parks and public facilities •Creating zoning laws to prevent the establishment of fast food outlets and convenience stores within walking distance of schools •Banning the practice of junk food fundraising. Terrific development aside, there is a very important piece to this puzzle -- this past June, HSF cut ties with its industry partners by winding down its Health Check program (more info here: weightymatters.ca/2014/06/breaking-heart-and-stroke-foundation.html). Its quite fascinating to see how, once freed from the shackles of industry partnerships, health organizations are able to provide science-based information without fear of repercussions or being silenced. Furthermore -- providing the public with information that doesnt protect industry interests sure does a lot for an organizations reputation and public perception. Take note, Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. Read Dr. Freedhoffs full post here: weightymatters.ca/2014/09/canadas-heart-and-stroke-foundation.html
Posted on: Tue, 09 Sep 2014 19:16:57 +0000
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