Minister Philpott: Don't buckle to pressures from the meat and dairy industry. Keep the Food Guide process science-based and free from conflict of interest.
TORONTO, Aug. 11, 2017 /CNW/ - The Animal Protection Party of Canada urges Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and The Honourable Jane Philpott, Minister of Health to base the newly evolving Canada Food Guide on "high-quality, peer-reviewed systematic reviews" and "reports from leading scientific organizations and governmental agencies."
"The animal agriculture industry is really feeling the pressure because consumers are making different food choices," says Liz White, Party Leader. "By following the new food guide, Canadians will likely eat less meat and cheese and drink less milk so obviously they feel threatened by this change. The question remains: will this government err on the side of Canadians' health or buckle to the pressures of the industry?"
As the Revision process for Canada's Food Guide web site clearly states, "While the food and beverage industry has a role to play in improving the quality of the foods and beverages they manufacture and promote, we must ensure that the development of dietary guidance is free from conflict of interest." (https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/canada-food-guides/revision-process.html)
Buckling to pressure from the meat and dairy industry would completely compromise the engagement process, which states, "During the policy development of the new Canada's Food Guide, we will not be meeting with representatives from the food and beverage industry. However, industry is welcome to participate in the open consultations."
The science shows a relationship between:
- Sodium and increased risk of high blood pressure
- Trans fatty acids and increased risk for cardiovascular disease
- Dietary patterns ? characterized by higher consumption of vegetables, fruits, whole grains, low-fat dairy, and seafood, lower consumption of red and processed meats, refined grains, and sugar-sweetened foods and beverages ? and positive cardiovascular disease outcomes.
"The Animal Protection Party advocates a vegan lifestyle, which is good for the animals, good for the environment and good for our health," says White.
"We will be reaching out to the broader environmental and animal protection community to counter the pressure brought about by the meat and dairy lobby groups."
SOURCE Animal Protection Party of Canada
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