OTTAWA – The federal government wants to make it easier for consumers to choose healthy foods with front-of-package warnings on items that contain high levels of sodium, sugar or saturated fat.
High intake of those three ingredients is linked to chronic health conditions and diseases, including obesity, heart disease, stroke and type 2 diabetes.
Currently, consumers must check the list of nutrients on the back of packages to see the sugar, sodium and saturated fat content.
Health Minister Ginette Petitpas Taylor is proposing to make it easier for consumers to identify foods high in those ingredients by requiring standardized, prominent warning symbols on the front of food packages.
Health Canada is asking for public feedback on four possible symbols.
Public consultation on the symbols and proposed regulations will run until April 26.
(The Canadian Press)<

Filed under: fat, food, nutrition warnings, salt, sugar