3. PHASING OUT TRANS FATS IN OTTAWA RESTAURANTS AND FOOD ESTABLISHMENTS

ÉLIMINATION DES GRAS TRANS DES RESTAURANTS ET ÉTABLISSEMENTS ALIMENTAIRES D’OTTAWA

COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION as amended

That Council recommend that the Medical Officer of Health be directed to report to the Committee before the end of 2007 on the approaches the City of Ottawa could take to phase out processed trans fats in all restaurants and food establishments.

Recommandation modifiÉEs du comité

Que le Conseil municipal recommande d’enjoindre médecin chef en santé publique de soumettre un rapport au Comité avant la fin de 2007 sur les démarches que la Ville pourrait adopter afin d’assurer l’élimination des gras trans artificiels des restaurants et autres établissements alimentaires.

DOCUMENTATION

1. Councillor Alex Cullen report dated 20 April 2007 (ACS2007-CCS-CPS-0008).

2. Extract of Draft Minute, 3 May 2007.

Report to / Rapport au:

Community and Protective Services Committee

Comité des services de protection et d’urgence

and Council / et au Conseil

20 April 2007 / le 20 avril 2007

Submitted by/Soumis par : Councillor/ Conseiller Alex Cullen

Contact Person/Personne ressource : Alex Cullen

(613) 580-2477, Alex Cullen@ottawa.ca

City Wide / À l'échelle de la Ville

Ref N°: ACS2007-CCS-CPS-0008

SUBJECT: PHASING OUT TRANS FATS IN OTTAWA RESTAURANTS AND FOOD ESTABLISHMENTS

OBJET: ÉLIMINATION DES GRAS TRANS DES RESTAURANTS ET ÉTABLISSEMENTS ALIMENTAIRES D’OTTAWA

REPORT RECOMMENDATION

That Community and Protective Services Committee recommend to Council that the Medical Officer of Health be directed to report to the Committee before the end of 2007 on the approaches the City of Ottawa could take to phase out trans fats in all restaurants and food establishments.

RECOMMANDATION DU RAPPORT

Que le Comité des services communautaires et de protection recommande au Conseil d’enjoindre au médecin chef en santé publique de soumettre un rapport au Comité avant la fin de 2007 sur les démarches que la Ville pourrait adopter afin d’assurer l’élimination des gras trans des restaurants et autres établissements alimentaires.

BACKGROUND

On 19 April 2007, Councillor Cullen put forward the following Notice of Motion, for consideration at a subsequent meeting:

Whereas trans fats have been identified as a health risk responsible for tens of thousands of heart attacks each year;

WHEREAS in 2006 a federal task force report investigating the health risks of trans fats recommended placing limits on artificial trans fats in foods (ie. no more than 2% in vegetable oils and margarines; no more than 5% in other foods).

WHEREAS the federal government has failed to act on the task force report recommendations;

WHEREAS the City of New York has taken steps to phase out trans fats in restaurants and the City of Toronto is investigating a similar program;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Community and Protective Services Committee direct the Medical Officer of Health to report to Committee before the end of 2007 on the approaches the City of Ottawa could take to phase out trans fats in all restaurants and food establishments.

CONSULTATION

This motion addresses a major public health issue. The most recent available statistics for Ottawa reflect that heart disease remains the leading cause of deaths and hospitalizations in our community. We have significant morbidity and mortality caused by cardiovascular disease.

Ottawa Public Health is strongly supportive of the report findings of the Heart and Stroke Foundation Special Taskforce. Ottawa Public Health has not taken a position on regulating ingredients on restaurant menus and food establishments and emphasises an educational approach to promote healthy and nutritious diets, such as the Eat Smart! program. The Eat Smart! program is a provincial awards program presented by Ottawa Public Health to restaurants, school and workplace cafeterias that meet high standards in healthy food choices and food safety.

Regulating menu ingredients at the local level will be a new strategy for Ottawa. If this motion were adopted, Ottawa Public Health would be happy to explore options to supplement our educational programs. Consideration will need to be given to explore these options.

FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS

N/A

SUPPORTING DOCUMENTATION

Document 1 – The Regulation of Trans Fat in the Canadian Food Supply - Toronto Board of Health Decision Document (Previously distributed and held on file)

Document 2 – The Regulation of Trans Fat in the Canadian Food Supply – Toronto Board of Health Staff Report (Previously distributed and held on file)

DISPOSITION

Community and Protective Services department staff to take appropriate action on the Committee’s direction.

PHASING OUT TRANS FATS IN OTTAWA RESTAURANTS AND FOOD ESTABLISHMENTS

ÉLIMINATION DES GRAS TRANS DES RESTAURANTS ET ÉTABLISSEMENTS ALIMENTAIRES D’OTTAWA

ACS2007-CCS-CPS-0008 CITY WIDE / À L'ÉCHELLE DE LA VILLE

Stephen Samis, Heart and Stroke Foundation gave a presentation in support of the Motion before Committee, the highlights of which included:

· Differences between the two types of Trans fats

· Known Health Risks

· Trans Fat Task Force

· Why there should be regulations

· Cost of not proceeding with regulations

· Federal Government approach versus city-by-city approach

A copy of this presentation is held on file.

Councillor Cullen recognized that the Heart and Stroke Foundation has been very strong in leading the charge on this issue. He noted that a Motion on trans fats had been introduced at Parliament and which has been supported by all three parties, but the federal government has not taken steps to act on it as of yet. He believed, therefore, that individual cities taking action might provide the necessary incentive for the government to act. He suggested that his Motion be amended to read, “…processed trans fats in all restaurants…”

Chair Deans suggested that people that support healthy lifestyles could eliminate trans fats from their diets if they had a “How To” guide available to assist them. She suggested such information could be provided on the City’s website. Mr. Samis advised that their website contains a lot of information for individuals who want to recognize and avoid trans fats and their local chapter would be pleased to work with the City to develop such an information source for residents of Ottawa.

Dr. David Salisbury, Medical Officer of Health added that there are several Public Health nutritionists working on this program, and “Eating Well with Canada’s Food Guide” is a publication that would provide indications of which foods are high in trans fats and how to avoid them. He indicated that he has met with colleagues in other major Canadian cities with a view to investigating how collectively they can get this message across.

In reply to questions posed by Councillor Leadman, Mr. Samis advised that New York City was the only city he was aware of that implemented regulations for restaurants and food service. Dr. Salisbury confirmed that staff will be examining the New York experience, as well as what has occurred in Toronto, because public health in Canada differs from that in the United States and how this Motion can be introduced in Ottawa will depend on the legal authority the City holds.

That Community and Protective Services Committee recommend to Council that the Medical Officer of Health be directed to report to the Committee before the end of 2007 on the approaches the City of Ottawa could take to phase out processed trans fats in all restaurants and food establishments.

CARRIED, as amended