Food Guide makeover sparks concern among farmers
OTTAWA — An overhaul of the Canada Food Guide is set to be released soon, a highly anticipated makeover that will do away with the rainbow visual many Canadians associate with the dietary guide commonly used in hospitals and daycares.
One of the major changes expected in the new guide is a focus on plant-based sources of proteins — a move that has sparked concern among industry players, including the Dairy Farmers of Canada.
In a statement released Friday afternoon, the national policy and lobby organization representing Canada’s farmers warned the decision could have a detrimental impact on future generations and harm a sector that continues to be “negatively impacted by the concessions granted in recent trade agreements.”
“Not only will this harm the dairy sector and the hundreds of thousands who depend upon it for their livelihoods, it also risks harming Canadian consumers by creating confusion about the nutritional value of dairy,” said its president Pierre Lampron.
Hasan Hutchinson, director general of nutritional policy and promotion at Health Canada, said Health Canada has stayed true to its goal of basing the new Food Guide on the best available evidence also recognized by international organizations.
The department is not saying animal-based proteins are not nutritious, Hutchinson said, noting the food guide will continue to recommend foods including lower-fat milk and cheeses lower in fat and sodium.
It will also refer to lean meats, poultry and other animal-based foods as examples of nutritious choices, he said.