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Refreshments Canada Encourages Healthy Habits for Students
From the Canada News-Wire
Tue 04 Dec 2007
Beverage Industry Association Shares Goal of Making Schools Healthier
TORONTO, Dec. 4 /CNW/ - Refreshments Canada agrees that schools are a unique setting to teach kids healthy habits, and looks forward to working with the Ontario government on this initiative in the coming year.
"Refreshments Canada shares the McGuinty Government's goal of improving the health and well-being of Ontario students," said Anthony van Heyningen, Executive Director of Refreshments Canada. "Supporting a healthy, balanced diet along with daily physical activity is the right way to go."
Refreshments Canada is the premier trade association representing the broad spectrum of brands and companies that manufacture and distribute the majority of non-alcoholic beverages consumed in Canada. The association works in partnership with many stakeholders, including governments, to develop policies, positions and education materials based on sound science so that all Canadians, including our young people, make educated nutritional choices.
Refreshments Canada took a leadership role when it first introduced beverage guidelines for elementary schools back in 2004. The guidelines have since been revised and strengthened to also include middle and secondary schools, and are scheduled to be fully implemented by the 2009-2010 school year.
The guidelines focus on reducing the number of calories and increasing the nutritious beverage choices available to students in the school setting. Under the guidelines, only 100% juices, bottled water and low-fat/no-fat regular and flavoured milks are offered in elementary and middle schools. Older students in secondary schools have additional no- and low-calorie beverage options that are limited to no more than 100 calories per container. Full calorie soft drinks are not made available at any school level.
"Schools are a unique environment where we have an opportunity to build on the foundation of these guidelines, and work with the Ontario government to help students develop lifelong healthy habits that strike the right balance between food choices and daily physical activity," Anthony van Heyningen added.
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