June 1st, 2023

MPP Gélinas introduces bill to set guidelines for sodium content in food sold in Ontario

QUEEN'S PARK – France Gélinas, MPP for Nickel Belt, introduced the Health Protection and Promotion Amendment Act (Sodium Content), 2023, to mandate that food sold in Ontario must contain reduced sodium content, in line with guidelines for sodium reduction established by the World Health Organization (WHO). The reductions are progressive so recipes can be adjusted, and food continues to be tasty.

According to research published by the American Heart Association, the average daily sodium intake for people in the United Kingdom decreased from 9.38 grams to 8.38 grams per day from 2000 to 2018, with progressive sodium reductions. The research suggests that this will decrease cases of premature ischemic heart disease and premature strokes in the United Kingdom.

"Many people overeat sodium, which can cause high blood pressure, chronic kidney disease, gastric cancer, liver diseases, and obesity. Cardiovascular disease is often linked to high blood pressure, so excess dietary sodium can also be a risk factor for cardiovascular problems. The processed foods that are sold to Ontarians often have high sodium levels, which contributes significantly to the excess sodium that people are eating. With the World Health Organization guidelines, the amount of sodium in processed foods would be lower, which would help Ontarians to eat healthier foods and decrease their risk of diseases linked to consuming excess sodium," said MPP Gélinas.

In 2021, the WHO published a report that sets out guidelines with ideal sodium content benchmarks for many different food groups. Their report compared sodium content in foods from many countries and set benchmarks to reduce the amount of sodium in foods that people are consuming.