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Support for Provincial Mandatory Menu Labelling Legislation (Motion #41-13)

Moved by Sauvé, Dennis. Approved on September 19, 2013, Sudbury & District Board of Health.

Motion

WHEREAS Canadians are eating out more than ever before in a complex food environment that has been associated with excessive consumption of calories and sodium, as much as double the daily recommended levels, putting children and adults at risk for developing chronic disease; and

WHEREAS the lack of nutrition information, widespread availability of calorie and sodium-dense food, and large portion sizes, impede consumers’ best efforts to eat well when eating out; and

WHEREAS in 2010, the Sudbury & District Board of Health (39-10) called on the federal Minister of Health to act on the recommendations outlined in the Sodium Reduction Strategy for Canada; and

WHEREAS in April 2013, the Sudbury & District Board of Health (19-13) strongly endorsed the recommendations of the Healthy Kids Panel including a call for improved consumer access to nutrition information in food service establishments; and

WHEREAS mandatory menu labelling could lead to significant improvements in the availability of healthier menu options and enable Ontarians to make better-informed food decisions for themselves and their families; and

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Sudbury & District Board of Health join efforts with other health agencies and provincial organizations in a call for the development of comprehensive menu labelling legislation to support the public’s right to know the nutrition content of their food and to build a healthier food environment for all Ontarians; and

FURTHER THAT the Sudbury & District Board of Health urge the Ontario Government to take the necessary steps to enact legislation that will require food service premises, with at least five outlets across Ontario and/or $5 million in gross revenue, to

  1. display the number of calories,
  2. indicate high and very high sodium content,
  3. indicate carbohydrates and sugar contents, and
  4. make available brochures that provide nutrition information for the food and beverage items sold or served for immediate consumption within the premises or away from the premise; and

FURTHER THAT copies of this motion be forwarded to key provincial, and local health and non-health partners.

 

This item was last modified on June 12, 2015