Lobby groups for the meat and dairy sectors are up in arms over indications that CanadaB次元官网网址檚 next food guide could discourage the consumption of beef, butter and cheese.
The guide, expected to be released early next year after its first overhaul in a decade, has been instrumental in teaching generations the importance of nutrition and a balanced diet. And while it may not be Health CanadaB次元官网网址檚 intention, it can also serve as a key marketing tool for certain food industries.
Earlier this year, Health Canada guiding principles and recommendations, one of which promotes eating more protein-rich foods derived from plants.
Isabelle Neiderer, director of nutrition and research with , said she takes that as a sign that the new food guide could lump all protein, including dairy products, into one food group. The current food guide recommends two to four daily servings of milk and alternative products, depending on age and gender.
Canada's Food Guide Consultations end Aug. 14. Have your say about what will be in the new guide.
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The elimination of the milk and alternative products category from the food guide would send a message that all proteins are the same and not take into account that milk products contain nutrients vital to human health, such as calcium and potassium, that other protein-rich foods donB次元官网网址檛.
B次元官网网址淚t would be a disservice to the Canadian population and frankly, a recipe for disaster in terms of bone health,B次元官网网址� Neiderer said.
Since its introduction in 1942, CanadaB次元官网网址檚 food guide has specifically recommended milk or milk products as part of a healthy diet. For dairy farmers, any walk away from that could threaten an industry that employs more than 220,000 people.
The preliminary recommendations also encourage eating less red meat, instead pointing Canadians to leaner animal cuts and plant-based proteins. The current food guideB次元官网网址檚 suggests that Canadians should eat one to three servings of meat and alternatives.
The says the proposed recommendations are so general that they arenB次元官网网址檛 helpful for consumers in choosing what foods to eat, in what quantities and how often.
Jackie Crichton, the councilB次元官网网址檚 director of regulatory affairs, says not everyone needs to eat less meat.
B次元官网网址淎nybody who is already consuming foods in the right proportions at the right frequency that result in a balanced diet, if they do read those general statements and were to decide, B次元官网网址極h well, then I have to eat less of that protein,B次元官网网址� what would that impact be on their health?B次元官网网址� Crichton said.
Health Canada said while it is encouraging Canadians to consume less red meat and foods high in saturated fat like butter and certain cheeses, itB次元官网网址檚 not urging they be ruled out altogether from oneB次元官网网址檚 diet.
B次元官网网址淲eB次元官网网址檙e not talking necessarily eliminating animal foods altogether, but it is going towards more plant-based,B次元官网网址� said Hasan Hutchinson, director general of nutritional policy and programs at Health Canada.
Unlike previous revisions of the food guide, industry doesnB次元官网网址檛 have an opportunity to meet one-on-one with Health Canada and instead must submit their comments on the guiding principles along with the rest of the general public by Monday, Hutchinson said.
B次元官网网址淲e have to ensure the development of the guidance is really free from any conflict of interest.B次元官网网址�
Aleksandra Sagan, The Canadian Press
