TORONTO, March 4, 2015 /CNW/ - In response to the World
Health Organization's (WHO) announcement regarding their guideline
on "Sugars intake for adults and children" earlier today, the
Canadian Beverages Association (CBA) issued the following
statement:
The Canadian Beverage Association (CBA) fully supports efforts
by the WHO to reduce non-communicable diseases and promote active
and healthy lifestyles in communities worldwide. The CBA believes
it is critical that policymakers ensure dietary recommendations are
founded on the totality of evidence-based science to address
important health challenges such as obesity.
The CBA notes that consumption of free (i.e. "added") sugars in
Canada is estimated to be 10.7% of
total energy intakei, in line with the WHO
recommendation to keep intake to 10% of total energy. This is well
below the suggested maximum of 25% of total energy intake as set
out in the Institute of Medicine's "Dietary Reference Intakes" that
form the basis of Canada's dietary
guidance.
The CBA is disappointed WHO made the conditional recommendation
of "a further reduction of the intake of free sugars to below 5% of
total energy intake", as it does not reflect scientific agreement
on the totality of evidence. In fact, the WHO recommendation is
based on three studies about sugar consumption and dental caries
that were judged to be of "very low scientific quality" by the
researchers selected by WHO to conduct the evidence review.
The CBA encourages all parties to focus on what the WHO has
clearly defined as the primary cause of obesity: an imbalance
between calories in (those consumed from all foods and beverages)
and calories out (those burned through physical activity).
The CBA welcomes the opportunity to work with the WHO, all
levels of Canadian government, and other stakeholders to pursue
effective and practical solutions to health issues. Solutions
should focus on collective efforts across government, civil society
and industry that promote balanced diets, and regular physical
activity. CBA and its members will continue to offer innovative
ways to help Canadian consumers achieve calorie balance through a
wide choice of beverage options, including smaller portion sizes,
no-and low-calorie beverages, and transparent, fact-based nutrition
information.
The Canadian Beverage Association is the national trade
association representing the broad spectrum of companies that
manufacture and distribute the majority of non-alcoholic
refreshment beverages consumed in Canada. Over 58,000 individuals are employed
directly, indirectly and through induced jobs in the Canadian
beverage industry.
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i Brisbois TD, Marsden S, Anderson GH, Sievenpiper JL.
"Estimated intakes and sources of total and added sugars in the
Canadian diet". Nutrients. 2014;6(5):1899-1912.
SOURCE Canadian Beverage Association