Prepared By:
Jennifer Jacob
Date:
November 5, 2018
Subject:
Bill S-228, an Act to amend the Food and Drugs Act (prohibiting food and beverage marketing directed at children), awaiting Royal Assent.
Background
On December 15, 2016, the Board of Health passed a resolution to support federal legislation prohibiting all forms of commercial food and beverage marketing to children less than 17 years old. This past September, Bill S-228, an Act to amend the Food and Drugs Act (prohibiting food and beverage marketing directed at children), was passed in the House of Commons and is now awaiting Royal Assent from the Senate. All three local Members of Parliament, Cheryl Hardcastle, Brian Masse, and Tracey Ramsey, voted in favour of this bill.
Unfortunately, Bill S-228 has undergone several amendments since it was tabled in the Senate in 2016. These amendments have weakened the originally proposed marketing restrictions and removed all protection for children 13-17 years old. The version of Bill S-228 that was passed in the House of Commons will only help protect children under 13 years old from commercial marketing of unhealthy food and beverages.
Current Initiatives
The Health Unit remains committed to protecting all children under 17 years old from all forms of commercial food and beverage marketing. Our position remains in-line with the expert recommendations endorsed by the Stop Marketing to Kids Coalition. Using these recommendations and current research findings, our dietitians will continue to provide expert consultation to Health Canada for their Healthy Eating Strategy, including the proposed regulations to limit marketing to children under Bill S-228.
The Health Unit will also be developing a local strategy to limit children’s exposure to commercial food and beverage marketing in childcare centers, schools, and recreation facilities, as part of our Take Charge initiative, to provide more comprehensive protection than that provided by Bill S-228.
Consultation:
The following individuals contributed to this report:
- Mariel Munoz Tayraco RD, Public Health Nutritionist, Healthy Schools Department
Approved by:
Theresa Marentette, CEO