Sustainable Development Commissioner, Mr. Jean Cinq-Mars, presents the conclusions of his audit concerning the promotion of healthy eating as a health preventive measure - Press Release no. 2

QUÉBEC, June 3, 2015 /CNW Telbec/ - The Auditor General of Québec, Ms. Guylaine Leclerc, makes public the Report of the Sustainable Development Commissioner (Spring 2015). Chapter 2 makes known the results from work carried out notably at the Ministère de la Santé et des Services sociaux (MSSS) and at the Ministère de l'Agriculture, des Pêcheries et de l'Alimentation (MAPAQ).

The MSSS did not exercise the leadership required for the promotion of healthy eating. It did not implement an effective management framework with clear orientations and well-defined roles and responsibilities. This does not encourage coherent and efficient action by concerned government entities. It is therefore unable to determine whether activities conducted in Québec allow for the adoption of better eating habits.

The MSSS and the MAPAQ have not established a global strategy to improve the nutritional quality of food. First, they have not determined the relevance and feasibility of a regulatory intervention in this regard. Then, the MSSS did not specify the nutrient content needed to define food as healthy and did not set any targets to improve the nutritional quality of food.

The incentive measures for the agri-food industry to improve nutritional quality of food rarely have targets and indicators that specify the desired changes.

Problems related to accessible healthy eating have been identified, but no specific action plan has been established by the MSSS to improve the situation. Among the problems identified is the presence of fast-food restaurants near schools.

The MSSS and the MAPAQ have not decided on the relevance and feasibility of intervening to improve nutritional information, to assist citizens in making healthy eating choices. For example, there are few nutritional guidelines in restaurants, convenience stores and vending machines.

The MSSS, in collaboration with the other government actors, has not decided on the relevance of implementing incentive measures to gain public support for healthy eating habits. Taxation of junk food is an example of possible measures.

The Highlights are available at www.vgq.qc.ca. The full report is only available in French.

Source:	Lucie Roy, Director
	Cabinet, communications et affaires stratégiques
	Auditor General of Québec
	Tel.: [phone]

SOURCE Vérificateur Général du Québec

Lucie Roy, Director, Cabinet, communications et affaires stratégiques, Auditor General of Québec, Tel.: [phone]