The Government of Canada is taking action to help its residents make healthy food choices for themselves and their families.
The Honourable Jane Philpott, Minister of Health, has announced that Health Canada has started a process to revise Canada's Food Guide to reflect the latest scientific evidence on diet and health, and to better support Canadians, including Indigenous peoples, in making healthy food choices. The announcement was made at the Canadian Cardiovascular Congress.
As part of the Food Guide revision, Health Canada has launched a consultation with Canadians, which will run through Dec. 8, to determine how Health Canada can provide better dietary guidance that meets the needs of Canadians.
This revision is part of a multi-year Healthy Eating Strategy. Health Canada says it will use every tool at its disposal—legislation, regulation, guidance and education—to create conditions to support healthy eating. The Healthy Eating Strategy also outlines how Health Canada will achieve the commitments set out in the Prime Minister's mandate letter to the Minister of Health related to sodium, trans fat, sugars, food colors, marketing to children, and the Nutrition North Program. Health Canada will continue to engage with stakeholders and experts to further refine the strategy as it moves forward.
The Healthy Eating Strategy is a component of the vision for a healthy Canada, which focuses on healthy eating, healthy living and a healthy mind.
Philpott says, "Everyone can agree that eating well, staying active and living a healthy lifestyle are important to reducing the risk of chronic diseases such as cancer, heart disease, and type 2 diabetes. Our Government's actions are aimed at ensuring positive and meaningful impacts on the overall health of Canadians for generations to come."
