MPP's junk food bill would remove treats from checkout areas
Ontario Nickel Belt New Democrat MPP and official opposition health critic France Gelinas wants people to stop buying so much junk food.
Gelinas has introduced a bill at Queen's Park to remove the tempting racks of junk food and other treats with high fat, high sugar and high sodium content that are often located near cash register checkouts.
"Since the pandemic started, lines at the cash register have gotten longer, as have the waits," said Gelinas.
"Marketers know that strategically placing high fat, sugar and sodium foods in those lineups pay off. It's time to stop tempting Ontario's consumers to eat more junk food. This initiative started in the U.K., and I'm hoping to bring it to Ontario and help people make healthy choices."
A news release from Gelinas' office said the bill was called the Temptation Be Gone Act and allows the government to make regulations that restrict the sales and marketing of certain treats--including restrictions on what can be located right next to the cash register.
"I want to thank Pharmacist Rachelle Rocha from Season's Pharmacy and Culinaria in Sudbury for bringing this issue to my attention," said Gelinas. "Her focus on healthy fresh foods as medicine is simple and smart."
Rocha commented that the idea of the bill is to create a path to a healthier community.
"The evidence is mounting; there are serious health implications from the chronic consumption of ultra-processed foods, which are high in sugar, fat and salt and low in fibre. Individuals suffer, and the payors of the health care system face higher and higher costs," said Rocha.
"This Temptation Be Gone legislation, which regulates the sale of these edible, food-like substances, gives me great hope, that we too, as individuals, and as a community, can achieve better health outcomes," said Rocha.
The Gelinas news release said the idea was also endorsed by Stephen Piazza, Senior Manager of Advocacy for the Canadian Cancer Society.
"About four in 10 cancers can be prevented through healthy living and policies that protect the health of Ontarians. Restricting foods and beverages high in saturated fat, sugars and sodium at point of sale and incentivizing healthier options are important steps towards building healthier food environments that ultimately support cancer prevention.
"The Canadian Cancer Society supports the Temptation Be Gone bill and commends MPP France Gelinas' leadership in promoting healthy food choices for Ontarians,'' said Piazza.
Further endorsement came from Liz Scanlon, Director at Heart & Stroke Ontario, said the news release.
"Good nutrition is one of the most important contributors to good health. Heart & Stroke believes that public policy can be instrumental in encouraging healthy eating," said Scanlon. "That's why we support efforts to restrict the promotion of highly processed foods with high fat, sodium and sugar content. This is one important factor in making sure that, especially for children and youth in Ontario, healthy eating becomes a life-long behaviour."