Ottawa – January 22, 2019 – The Canadian Medical Association (CMA) is pleased with the federal government’s overall direction in the new Food Guide, an important resource for Canadians and health providers on the key role of food in health. The CMA is particularly supportive of the evidence-based review and extensive consultation process used to draft the new Guide, to ensure it was founded on unbiased research.
The CMA was an active participant throughout the consultation process, submitting a brief to the House of Commons Standing Committee on Health in June 2018. We’re pleased that the new Food Guide addresses our recommendations.
We look forward to the deployment of Phase 2, which will provide practical tools for health professionals and Canadians to best apply the principles of the new Guide. The CMA encourages the federal government to enhance the effectiveness of the new Food Guide by moving ahead with front-of-package labelling and prohibiting food and beverage marketing directed at children, two initiatives currently before Parliament.
Dr. Gigi Osler
CMA President