Ottawa Public Health wants to limit the access kids have to sugary drinks and salty snack foods, and is pitching a plan to the City's Board of Health.
In a report for next Monday's Board meeting, Medical Officer of Health Dr. Isra Levy lays out a five-point plan aimed at tackling childhood obesity.
- Restrict food and beverage marketing to children on municipal property, such as childcare settings, libraries, public transit, recreation centres and parks.
- Restrict food and beverage marketing in schools.
- Limit access to food and beverages high in salt, fat, sugar or calories on municipal property.
- Reviewing zoning restrictions close to child-focused settings including schools and playgrounds.
- Limit sole-sourced contracts with food and beverage companies to ensure the healthfulness of food and beverage options. This would include the numbers, content and placement of vending machines in child-focused settings.
If approved, Ottawa Public Health would begin consulting the public on the ideas.
Earlier this year, the Heart and Stroke Foundation published a report calling for legislation to restrict the marketing of unhealthy foods to children.