The Canadian Diabetes Association (CDA) acknowledges the Government of Canada’s announcement on the amendments to the Food and Drug Regulations to make the Nutrition Facts table and list of ingredients on packaged foods easier for Canadians to use and understand. The CDA is disappointed and concerned the amount of free sugars in foods will not be included on the nutrition facts table as CDA had originally requested during the consultation process, thus falls short of helping Canadians reduce their intake.
Currently, the sugar amount on a nutrition facts table combines both added and natural sugar. Separating the two would be significantly more effective in helping to reduce intake of added or natural (free) sugar. Canadians currently consume more added sugar than is recommended and CDA is committed to help Canadians reduce added sugar consumption for the prevention and management of diabetes. The CDA believes this was a missed opportunity and expects to see this inclusion in the near future.
“The Government of Canada has taken a step forward in helping Canadians make healthier food choices, however, it is not enough,” says Joanne Lewis, director of healthy eating and nutrition programming at the CDA. “The more nutritional information people with diabetes have the more empowered they are to make the choices that are right for them and their families.”
Although the amendments are one component within a broader holistic approach to help Canadians eat healthier, there are still other issues of importance such as access to and affordability of healthy foods that urgently need to be addressed.
“Currently, it is estimated there are 11 million Canadians living with diabetes or prediabetes. The urgency to address the growing diabetes epidemic has never been greater,” says Rick Blickstead, president and CEO of the CDA. “By 2026, diabetes prevalence is expected increase by more than 40 per cent in Canada. The time for government to act is now. “
Maintaining a healthy weight is essential to preventing or delaying the development of type 2 diabetes and its secondary complications. For people already living with diabetes, maintaining a healthy weight is an important aspect in managing the disease.
About Diabetes Canada
Diabetes Canada is the registered national charitable organization that is making the invisible epidemic of diabetes visible and urgent. Diabetes Canada partners with Canadians to End Diabetes through:
- Resources for health care professionals on best practices to care for people with diabetes;
- Advocacy to governments, schools and workplaces; and
- Funding world-leading Canadian research to improve treatments and find a cure.
For more information, visit diabetes.ca or call 1-800-BANTING (226-8464).