McGuinty Government Giving Kids Healthier Choices
TORONTO, April 16 /CNW/ -
NEWS
Students in Ontario will be getting healthier because the food and
beverages sold in schools will need to be free of trans fat.
Levels of obesity among young Canadian children have nearly tripled over
the last 25 years. Providing healthier options and reducing trans fat will
help improve the health of young people.
The legislation
(http://www.ontla.on.ca/web/bills/bills_detail.do?locale=en&BillID=1925)
passed today will require schools to drop trans fat from school cafeterias,
vending machines and tuck shops. Some foods that naturally contain small
amounts of trans fat, such as beef and milk, will be allowed. Special event
days will be exempt.
Artificially produced trans fat is formed when liquid oils are made into
semi-solid forms like shortening. It is commonly found in baked and fried
foods like french fries, cookies or doughnuts.
Ontario will also examine options for establishing nutrition standards
that conform to the new Canada Food Guide
(http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/fn-an/food-guide-aliment/index_e.html) for school
cafeterias, vending machines, tuck shops, canteens and other daily food
services in schools.
QUOTES
"It's clear that we are moving in a healthier direction by dropping trans
fat from schools. Giving students healthier options will help them stay
healthy and have more energy for learning," said Education Minister Kathleen
Wynne (http://www.edu.gov.on.ca/eng/general/biography/edu_minister.html).
"Our message is clear: a lifetime of good health starts with healthy
practices in childhood. Healthier choices for students mean healthier habits
later in life," said Health Promotion Minister Margarett Best
(http://www.mhp.gov.on.ca/english/margarettbest.asp).QUICK FACTS
- Trans fat increases levels of bad cholesterol and decreases levels of
good cholesterol in the blood.
- According to a 2004 Statistics Canada study
(http://www.statcan.ca/Daily/English/050706/d050706a.htm), nearly
one-third of children and teenagers in Canada are either overweight
or obese.
- The Heart and Stroke Foundation estimates consumption of processed
trans fat may account for 30,000 to 50,000 deaths in Canada every
10 years.LEARN MORE
Find out more about trans fat
(http://www.eatrightontario.ca/en/ViewDocument.aspx?id=37).
Learn how much trans fat may be in the foods you eat
(http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/fn-an/nutrition/gras-trans-fats/tfa-age_e.html).
Discover how you can make your next trip to the grocery store
(http://www.eatrightontario.ca/en/ViewDocument.aspx?id=13&Topic=5&Cat=162) a
healthy one.-------------------------------------------------------------------------
ontario.ca/education-news
Disponible en français
BACKGROUNDER
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MAKING ONTARIO SCHOOLS HEALTHIERGood food, daily physical activity and a healthy environment that
supports learning and growth are vital to helping students reach their full
potential.
The Healthy Food for Healthy Schools Act, 2008 builds on the McGuinty
government's strategy to promote better health and boost student success.Ontario has also introduced:
- The Healthy Schools Recognition Program
(http://www.edu.gov.on.ca/eng/healthyschools/challenge.html) that
encourages schools to participate in activities that promote healthy
behaviours and practices. This could include forming a weekly walking
program or planting a vegetable garden.
- Twenty minutes of Daily Physical Activity
(http://www.edu.gov.on.ca/eng/healthyschools/dpa.html) during
instructional time in elementary schools, supported with an
investment of $14.7 million for training and resources. This includes
developing resource guides for teachers, principals and school
boards, as well as an e-learning module that includes video examples
of activities teachers can use.
- Sabrina's Law
(http://www.edu.gov.on.ca/eng/healthyschools/anaphylaxis.html)
requiring every school board to establish and maintain an
anaphylactic policy. The Ministry of Education provided every school
and public health unit with an Anaphylaxis Resource Kit. The ministry
also developed an e-learning module for boards and schools that
includes video demonstrations on how to use the epinephrine
auto-injectors.
- The Northern Fruit and Vegetable pilot that currently delivers three
weekly servings of fruit and vegetables to 12,000 students in the
Algoma and Porcupine regions of Northern Ontario.
- The new EatRight Ontario website
(http://www.eatrightontario.ca/en/Default.aspx) and telephone service
where teachers, parents and caregivers can have nutrition-related
questions answered by a registered dietitian for free. Call
1-877-510-510-2, Monday to Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. ET or visit
Ontario.ca/EatRight.
- Support for the development and distribution of resources
(http://www.eatrightontario.ca/en/EatRightBeActive.aspx) such as
"Busy Bodies" and "Eat Right, Be Active" for parents and caregivers
of young children to help instil healthy eating habits and encourage
physical activity at an early age.
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ontario.ca/education-news
Disponible en français
For further information: Michelle Despault, Minister's Office, (416)
212-3747; Patricia MacNeil, Communications Branch, (416) 325-2676; Public
Inquiries, (416) 325-2929 or 1-800-387-5514, TTY 1-800-263-2892
