Ontario's Doctors: Congratulate Toronto Public Health for Menu Labelling Recommendations

TORONTO, April 23, 2013 /CNW/ - Ontario's doctors congratulate Toronto's Medical Officer of Health, Dr. David McKeown, and Toronto Public Health on their recommendations to the Toronto Board of Health to adopt restaurant menu labelling of calorie and sodium content.  Ontario's doctors have been leading the charge in calling for menu labelling to be adopted across the province and sounding the alarm about the obesity crisis and the health dangers caused by too much dietary sodium.

A number of other jurisdictions have already moved to require this nutritional information on menus.  It is frustrating that time and again the people of Ontario have been told this type of information can't be made available to them.

The health effects of Ontarians' increasing weight and sodium intake are not new issues. Approximately 60% of adults in Ontario are overweight or obese, almost one in three Canadian children is now overweight or obese, and 40% of Canadians either have or are at elevated risk of high blood pressure.  Too much salt causes high blood pressure, also known as hypertension, which contributes to the majority of strokes and roughly half of all cases of heart disease.  If we are going to tackle this crisis and reduce the incidence of obesity in Ontario, the time for action is now.

Menu labelling provides consumers with the information they need to make informed decisions about the food they and their children eat.  It is not the only solution to these important health challenges, but is essential to helping Ontarians make healthier choices. Ontario's doctors urge the Toronto Board of Health to adopt the recommendations and call on all councillors to support this important undertaking.

Municipalities across Ontario can demonstrate their commitment to making Ontario a healthier province by supporting menu labelling and implementing similar regulations in their respective communities.

Dr. Doug Weir
President
Ontario Medical Association

SOURCE: Ontario Medical Association

OMA Media Relations at 416.340.2862 or toll-free at 1.800.268.7215, ext. 286
[email protected] @OntariosDoctors