OTTAWA, ON. (NEWS 1130) – The Trudeau government is taking action to let you know about packaged foods that are too fatty, salty or sugary. These three ingredients have been linked to chronic health conditions such as obesity, heart disease, stroke and diabetes.
Here are the 4 options for the symbol that will be on packaged foods high in sugar, saturated fats or sodium #cdnpoli pic.twitter.com/MlnXIaJCWt
— Cormac Mac Sweeney (@cmaconthehill) February 9, 2018
Speaking at a community centre in the nation’s capital, the Federal Health Minister Ginette Petitpas Taylor says a new caution symbol will be placed on any foods that have more than 15 per cent of your daily intake of sodium, sugar, or saturated fats. “That will make choosing the healthier option the easier option.”
She adds this will serve as an overdue caution to consumers. “Parents will be able to quickly spot the most sugary products, even as they race down the aisle with their children in tow. It also means that people with health conditions, like high blood pressure, will be able to easily identify products that are high in salt and choose healthier options.”
Dr. Theresa Tam, the chief public health officer says this is an important move to combat serious health problems linked to unhealthy foods. “Which puts them at a higher risk of developing a whole range of chronic diseases.”
The federal government is putting a new symbol on the front of packaged foods that are high in sugar, sodium and saturated fats. Consultations will be held over next 75 days on which symbol (out of 4 options) works best for consumers #cdnpoli pic.twitter.com/XkVa3wchji
— Cormac Mac Sweeney (@cmaconthehill) February 9, 2018
There are four potential options for the new symbol and there will be a 75-day public consultation to choose the one that works best for consumers.
The symbol will not be enforced until 2022 to give companies enough time to make their package design changes or to change their product to avoid the symbol entirely.
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