Healthcare
The bill addresses healthcare indirectly by aiming to reduce childhood obesity, which is linked to increased risk of chronic conditions and higher healthcare spending.
C-252
Child Health Protection Act
Details
- Full Title
- An Act to amend the Food and Drugs Act (prohibition of food and beverage marketing directed at children)
- First Reading
- February 9, 2022, Parliament 44, Session 1
- Type
- Private Member’s Bill
- Full Content
- https://www.parl.ca/legisinfo/en/bill/44-1/c-252
Summary
Bill C-252, also known as the Child Health Protection Act, aims to amend the Food and Drugs Act to protect children from the marketing of unhealthy foods. The bill seeks to prohibit the advertisement of specific foods, identified as containing high levels of sugars, saturated fats, or sodium, to individuals under 13 years of age. This prohibition is subject to regulations that will further define which foods are targeted and how advertising is assessed to be directed at this age group.
The bill acknowledges concerns about rising rates of childhood obesity in Canada and the health risks associated with it. It references reports from the Public Health Agency of Canada and the Standing Senate Committee on Social Affairs, Science and Technology, highlighting the increasing prevalence of childhood obesity and its negative impacts on children's health and well-being.
The proposed changes to the Food and Drugs Act include provisions to ensure that trademark registrations are not invalidated due to compliance with this Act. There is also a requirement for a review of the effectiveness of sections 7.1 and 7.2 of the Act within five years of their enactment, with a focus on advertising directed at those aged 13 to 17. This review acknowledges the vulnerability of older children to similar advertising strategies.
The Act grants the power to create regulations which will define factors to determine if foods are being advertised to children under 13, limits on what forms of advertising the law applies to, and define "sugars" and "saturated fats".
The Act will come into force on a day to be determined by the Governor in Council.