Local health officials have been waiting over 10 years for a new Canada Food Guide.
Health Unit Nutritionist Vincent Ng says part of the problem is Canada does not have regulations on when a new food guide should be released.
Unlike countries like the United States, he explains updates to our Food Guide can be prompted by factors like “the political landscape, and any new updates to health and food issues.”
Ng adds another challenge has been pushback from the food industry against moves like encouraging Canadians to eat more plant-based proteins.
He explains meat farmers argue there is no environmental concern with the way meat is produced.
“However, when you take all things into consideration, it does seem that plant-based sources, especially compared to how meat is produced commercially right now, is better both for human health and environmental health.”