Questionnaire on Menu Labelling and Marketing of Unhealthy Food to Children
Posted: October 30, 2013
Categories: Edible Education Network / Food in the News / Good Food Ideas for Kids / GoodFoodBites
The Ontario government is soliciting public opinion on menu labelling and the marketing of unhealthy food to children. A survey has been constructed as part of Ontario’s Action Plan for Health Care. The survey, which is open until November 8th, can be taken here. Full release from the Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care:
Ontario’s Action Plan for Health Care committed to aggressively taking on the challenge of reducing childhood obesity across the province. As a first step, the government appointed a Healthy Kids Panel. The panel made a series of recommendations in its report released in March 2013.
In response to the Healthy Kids Panel’s recommendations for reducing childhood obesity, Ontario has launched a cross-government Healthy Kids Strategy. To help create a healthier food environment in Ontario, the government is consulting with parents, the health sector, and the food and restaurant industry on two initiatives:
- Restrict the marketing of high-calorie, low nutrient foods, beverages and snacks to children under age 12.
- Require all large chain restaurants, including fast food outlets and retail grocery stores that sell prepared foods, to list the calories in each item on their menus and to make this information visible on menu boards.