3. city of ottawa services and programs – trans fat free

services et programmes de la ville – sans acides gras trans

COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONs AS AMENDED

That Council approve:

1. That the City of Ottawa require by 1 January 2008, new contract food suppliers and caterers providing services to the City of Ottawa and it’s programs be processed trans fat free;

2. That Council, in its’ role as the Board of Health for the City of Ottawa, recommend to other public institutions in Ottawa (Public Works Canada, the NCC, Government Services Ontario, universities, hospitals, school boards, et cetera) to adopt processed trans fat-free policies.

Recommandations modifiÉEs du comité

Que le Conseil d’approuver :

1. que, d'ici au 1er janvier 2008, la Ville requiert des fournisseurs d'aliments et des traiteurs qui offrent des services à la Ville d'Ottawa et à ses divers programmes par le biais de nouveaux contrats de fournir des aliments ne contenant pas d'acides gras trans artificiels.

2. que le Conseil, en tant que Conseil de santé de la Ville d’Ottawa, recommande à d’autres institutions publiques d’Ottawa (Travaux publics Canada, la CCN, le ministère des Services gouvernementaux de l’Ontario, les universités, les hôpitaux, les conseils scolaires, etc.) d’adopter des politiques en matière d’aliments sans acides gras trans artificiels.

DOCUMENTATION

1. Committee Coordinator’s report dated 26 June 2007 (ACS2007-CCS-CPS-0016).

2. Extract of Draft Minute, 16 August 2007

Report to / Rapport au:

Community and Protective Services Committee

Comité des services de protection et d’urgence

and Council / et au Conseil

26 June 2007 / le 26 juin 2007

Submitted by/Soumis par : Rosemary Nelson, Coordinator,

Community and Protective Services Committee/

Coordonnatrice des services de protection et d’urgence

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-0016

SUBJECT: city of Ottawa SERVICES AND PROGRAMS – TRANS FAT FREE

OBJET: SERVICES ET PROGRAMMES DE LA VILLE – SANS ACIDES GRAS TRANS

REPORT RECOMMENDATIONS

That the Community and Protective Services Committee recommend that Council approve:

1. That the City of Ottawa require by 1 January 2008, new contract food suppliers and caterers providing services to the City of Ottawa and it’s programs be processed trans fat free;

RECOMMANDATIONS DU RAPPORT

Que le Comité des services communautaires et de protection recommande au Conseil d’approuver :

1. que, d’ici au 1^er janvier 2008, la Ville d’Ottawa requiert des fournisseurs d’aliments et des traiteurs qui offrent des services à la Ville d’Ottawa et à ses divers programmes de fournir des aliments ne contenant pas d’acides gras trans artificiels;

DISCUSSION

On 21 June 2007, Councillor Cullen put forward the following Notice of Motion, for consideration at a subsequent meeting:

Whereas processed trans fats have been identified as a health hazard, responsible for thousands of heart attack deaths; and,

Whereas the City of Ottawa’s Public Health Branch, along with the Ontario Ministry of Health, supports programs and activities to promote healthy eating, including the reduction of processed trans fats in daily diets;

Whereas the City of Ottawa, consistent with other programs, should set an example to its residents;

Therefore be it resolved that the City of Ottawa require, by 1 January 2008, food suppliers and caterers providing services to the City of Ottawa and its’ programs to be processed trans fat free;

And that the City of Ottawa, in it’s role as the Board of Health for the City of Ottawa, recommend to other public institutions in Ottawa (Public Works Canada, the NCC, Government Services Ontario, universities, hospitals, school boards, et cetera) to adopt processed trans fat-free policies.

CONSULTATION

Ottawa Public Health

The most recent 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.[1] Current scientific research indicates that trans fat is a type of fat that raises the risk of heart disease. While some trans fat occurs naturally, most is artificial. Artificial trans fat is manufactured through a chemical process. It is found in partially hydrogenated vegetable oil. Common sources of artificial trans fat in the North American diet include the following: vegetable shortening and margarine; foods fried in partially hydrogenated vegetable oil (PHVO); prepared foods such as donuts, crackers, cookies and pies and prepared mixes. Trans fat is the most dangerous type of dietary fat.

In 2006 the federal Trans Fat Task Force (co-chaired by Health Canada and the Heart and Stroke Foundation) issued the report TRANSforming the Food Supply, which investigated the health risks of trans fats and recommended placing limits on artificial trans fats in foods (i.e., no more than 2% in vegetable oils and margarines; no more than 5% in other foods).[2] Ottawa Public Health is strongly supportive of the report findings of the Trans Fat Task Force. Further, Ottawa Public Health is strongly supportive, in principle, of the City demonstrating leadership on this issue by taking appropriate actions within the context of our jurisdictional scope of activity. Adopting policies consistent with those proposed in the recommendations above, and advocating to others that they adopt similar policies, would be such actions.

In Ottawa, Public Health dietitians are involved in counseling as well as several public education programs in schools, restaurants and workplaces that involve the promotion of healthy eating, of which trans fat awareness is a component. Health Canada’s “Eating Well With Canada’s Food Guide” contains specific messaging to “limit trans fat”. Ottawa Public Health staff use this document as part of presentation and promotional material to educate various audiences on the components of healthy eating.

Since limiting trans fat in the diet is part of an overall healthy eating message, Ottawa Public Health could expand on current programming such as the Eat Smart! Programs to include more sites (schools, workplaces and restaurants) as well as city facilities such as licensed Day Cares and Long Term Care homes.

The Eat Smart! program is a provincial awards program presented by Ottawa Public Health to local restaurants, school and workplace cafeterias that meet high standards in healthy food choices. To qualify, participating organizations must meet standards pertaining to nutrition, food safety and non-smoking

Currently, Ottawa Public Health in partnership with the Ontario Public Health Association is designing an Eat Smart! strategy for use in recreation facilities. This will allow for healthier choices in tuck shops, snack bars and catering facilities. By educating food providers on healthy choices, including the risks associated with trans fat and alternatives to trans fat, they are better able to provide a larger number of healthy food choices. This is an important step in changing the food environment in schools, restaurants, workplaces and recreation facilities, among others.

Vending Machines in City of Ottawa Recreation Sites

Another program which, provides residents with healthier food choices is the Fuel to Xcell/L’Xcellence ça se nourrit program. Successfully piloted in 2004, this program was developed by Ottawa Public Health to help consumers make healthier choices from vending machines. One key feature of the Fuel to Xcell/L’Xcellence ça se nourrit program is a colour coding system whereby all snacks and beverages are assigned a colour code based on a nutritional rating system. Within this system, snacks that have the most nutritional value are coded green, and snacks with some nutritional value are coded yellow. Snacks with no colour code have little or no nutritional value and consumers are encouraged to select these items less often. In August 2005, Ottawa Public Health and the City purchasing department developed a Request for Proposal (RFP) for a healthy snack/food and beverage vending service at City of Ottawa recreation sites. The contract required the vendor to use the Fuel to Xcell/L’Xcellence ça se nourrit program in the 94 snack and beverage vending machines located in 52 City facilities. The contract stipulated that within the first three years, the supplier must increase the percentage of vending selections rated as healthy (green or yellow categories) from 30% to 50%.

The period of contract was from the date of award in 2005 to September 30, 2008, and may be extended for two (2) additional one (1) year terms. Therefore, the first opportunity to introduce trans fat free terms with the vendor will be in October 2008.

To proceed with a total ban on artificial trans fat foods could create the possibility of vendors substituting products that could be less profitable affecting the revenue generation for some groups (for example hockey associations running canteen operations). If Council direction would impact negatively on the contractors’ revenues from various operations, it is our experience that the organizations or vendors will seek compensation or a reduction in rent to prevent a breach of their contract.

Food Services in City-operated Day Cares

The Province stipulates that nutritious meals and snacks have to be served in full day care programs and that snacks must be served in school age programs. The Ministry does not however, extensively regulate the specific nutritional value of the food services and current regulations focus on reducing the risk of food allergies. Food supplies to day care centres is complicated without a complete individual review. In some instances employees purchase and produce the food in City facilities, and in others the food is purchased through catering vendors.Without consulting each program and service individually, it would not be possible, in the short-term, to determine the exact extent that artificial trans fat foods figure into the diets of the children. A thorough examination must also take place to determine how significant the financial, logistical, and supply impacts would be on these day-to-day operations. One approach that could begin in the short term would be to solicit voluntary compliance. Child care centres are presently striving to eliminate trans fats. The Child Care Policy on The Delivery of Nutritional Snacks and Lunches to Children and the Canada Food Guide help in significantly reducing trans fats as well. Furthermore, the City of Ottawa’s Public Health Branch dietician is preparing resources that will be incorporated into our programs. An attempt can certainly be made in eliminating trans fats, but eliminating them completely is a challenge (trace amounts of trans fats are found in many foods) therefore a complete review needs to be done and contractors and vendors need to be consulted.

Food Services in City-Operated Long Term Care Homes

The Ministry of Health and Long Term Care regulates the nutritional standards of all food services in the City’s Long Term Care Homes. The nutritional standards are based on the Canada Food Guide and all meal menus meet the standards. Our primary food supplier is working with all manufacturers on the trans fat free initiative and keeps us informed by regular newsletters. Many manufacturers have moved towards trans fat free products and most are moving that way. The Long Term Care Homes will continue to seek trans fat free options when purchasing food.

Vending Machines in Long Term Care Homes

The City has another contract for vending machines in the City’s four Long Term Care Homes. The goal of the vending machine service is to provide nutritional options for residents while balancing the need for individual choice related to snack options. The Fuel to Xcell Program could be expanded into this venue.

City of Ottawa Cafeterias

Currently, approximately 10 vendors provide cafeteria food and beverage services within City of Ottawa facilities. Half of these vendors have contracts with the City with expiry dates happening between 2009-2015. The Eat Smart! Workplace Cafeteria is currently operating in one City facility and could be expanded into the remaining venues.

City of Ottawa Canteens

The City deals with over 34 vendors (ranging from small minor hockey associations to larger catering vendors) to supply the City’s many canteens in the large and small arenas, pools, parks, and large recreation facilities. Consultation with these vendors would be necessary to determine the impact on the viability of their contracts before restricting all processed trans fats from their products lists. The new Eat Smart! Recreation Program would apply to these types of settings.

Supply Management

In general, Supply Management issues tenders for cafeterias/canteens when they generate revenues of more than $10,000.00. Parks and Recreation Branch solicit bids for locations that are predicted to earn less than $10,000.00.

Supply Management issues a Request for Proposals (RFP) when searching for a vendor for a cafeteria/canteen. The current RFP process requires the proponent to submit a sample menu and prices. The City does not place restrictions on the types of foods that may be offered, although quality standards and health conscious alternative food choice policies are in place.

Proponents propose a menu and price list based on a profitable business plan for a given location. Proponents bid the amount of rent offered to the City, based on the proposed menu and its estimated revenue potential.

Changing or restricting the type of foods that the contractor may offer could alter current revenue sources and, therefore, could substantially change the contract. Changes to the contract would require renegotiation of contracts, cancellation and re-tender, or delaying implementation until renewal or expiry of current contracts.

To enter into negotiations with the current contractors would require the City to either provide a suggested list of trans fat free alternatives, or to ask the contractors to propose compliant alternatives. Without knowing what trans fat free products are available in the market, it is difficult to estimate the feasibility of renegotiating or re-tendering contracts by January 2008.

We can predict that small canteen operators and large cafeterias would face different challenges in accommodating the trans fat free policy. Canteens sell confections and fast food, while cafeterias sell a complete range of confections, fast food, and prepared foods.

At the request of Public Health, the Eat Smart and Fuel to Xcell nutrition policies are included in large cafeteria contracts for locations such as Constellation. Current nutrition policies ask for alternatives, as opposed to the elimination of products. Supply would continue to rely on the expertise of Public Health or other clients to determine nutrition policy / requirements included in RFP Terms of Reference.

Summary

Due to contractual requirements with the City’s food and beverage vendors, a complete restriction on all processed trans fat in cafeterias, canteens, vending machines and City-operated food and beverage programs for 1 January 2008 is not feasible. However, a viable approach would be to wait until contracts come up for renewal, as the City cannot compel canteens to do this under their current contracts. And, including an Eat Smart! Program requirement in upcoming RFPs would allow for a reduction of trans fat in foods offered at City of Ottawa venues. Setting high standards for the provision of healthy food choices at all City facilities would provide consistent messaging about the importance of healthy eating.

FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS

There are no financial implications associated with this report

DISPOSITION

Community and Protective Services to coordinate implementation of any direction received as part of consideration of this report.

city of Ottawa SERVICES AND PROGRAMS – TRANS FAT FREE

SERVICES ET PROGRAMMES DE LA VILLE – SANS ACIDES GRAS TRANS

ACS2007-CCS-CPS-0016 CITY WIDE / À L'ÉCHELLE DE LA VILLE

Councillor Alex Cullen introduced his Motion by saying that, over the past number of years, medical research identified significant health concerns about the effects of artificial and processed trans fats on human health. These include unacceptably high rates of heart disease and death. In 2006 the federal government established a Trans Fat Task Force which in its report recognized the dangers of trans fats and recommended eliminating or reducing their use in the human food chain. As a result of this, a number of boards of health and cities have taken steps to eliminate trans fats within their jurisdictions.

The Councillor continued by saying that the situation has changed since the Community and Protective Services Committee first dealt with the Trans Fat Free issue earlier in the year. On 20 June 2007, the federal government gave its support to the task force recommendations. Health Minister Tony Clement stated that: “Canada’s new government supports the reduction of trans fats as a way to ensure that Canadians can reduce their risk of heart disease and be healthy today and in the future”. The Minister has given the industry two years to reduce trans fats to the lowest level possible, as recommended by the Trans Fat Task Force, and has said it would regulate the industry if this was not done over that period of time. The Councillor felt that the City of Ottawa should set an example for the community. He proposed an amendment to part 1 of his Motion, so that it states that “new contract food suppliers and caterers providing services to the City of Ottawa and its programs be processed trans fat free”.

Councillor Cullen directed the Committee’s attention to the staff report, specifically to the comments of Ottawa Public Health expressing their strong support for the report findings of the Trans Fat Task Force. Public Health also supports the City showing leadership by taking appropriate action. Councillor Cullen called this measure a very small step, and one that is easy to make. The industry is aware that if they don’t cooperate, they will be regulated and some are already responding through self-regulation.

In response to a query from Councillor Georges Bédard, Councillor Cullen indicated that instances of non-compliance would be investigated and could result in a violation of contract. He added that, as with many other regulations, enforcement would be done on a complaint basis.

The Committee heard from Mr. Manuel Arango, Assistant Director, Government Relations, Heart and Stroke Foundation (HSFC) who, by means of a PowerPoint presentation, covered the following topics:

· Trans Fats: What are they?

· Evidence of Health Risk from Trans Fats

· Trans Fat Task Force Report

· Minister’s Response

· HSFC: Next Steps

· Why regulations are still necessary

· City Approach

Mr. Arango concluded by stating that the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada supports Councillor Cullen’s Motion and urges the City of Ottawa to move forward with its recommendations as soon as possible.

Councillor Shad Qadri inquired as to whether this relates strictly to fresh foods or to vending machines as well. He also wanted to know how the City would go about legislating current contracts for vending machines and get providers to participate. Mr. Arango explained that many companies and franchises have already made changes to products for vending machines. He pointed out that, as the New York City experience illustrates, companies will make required changes when a contract is at stake.

Dr. Isra Levy, Associate Medical Officer of Health, and Manager, Surveillance, Emerging Issues, Education and Research Division (SEER) Division, advised that the Fuel to Xcell Program encourages choice in vending machines. This is done through a label approach, promoting products that have healthier ingredients than others. He added that, at the moment, restrictions on what a supplier has to put into vending machines to qualify for a green sticker are relatively light.

Councillor Peggy Feltmate inquired as to the specific foods being referred to in the contract for facilities such as nursing homes, canteens, etc. She wanted to know what this would mean to the suppliers and how it could affect the budgets in Long-Term Care facilities. Dr. Levy explained that the Trans Fat Task Force foresaw that products for retail use would be regulated in terms of the manufactured product. In cafeterias, the issue would be the ingredients used, not the product. With regard to Long Term Care facilities budgets, the nutritionists in each institution would have to go through a process and would benefit from the support of the Ottawa Public Health nutrition team to find alternatives. Dr. Levy added that, where there has been testimony about the impact on revenues, it has been found to be revenue neutral or cheaper.

Councillor Feltmate said she found this issue problematic. In light of the fact that the federal government has threatened to regulate the industry and that many of the larger companies self-regulate, this leaves only small operators such as hot dog vendors and the like, many of which are operated by local residents. These persons may not be aware of the trans fat issue. She wondered whether it would not be better to let the two years allotted to the industry go by. Dr. Levy advised that the federal government was the best and most responsible entity to help with this. He added that, even if regulations were already being enforced, there was still the possibility that some chefs could concoct products that are harmful, or less desirable, from a health perspective. He felt that the City’s actions would be complementary by helping to regulate foods at the source. With regard to the timing of the City’s actions, Dr. Levy felt that now was as good a time as ever. He said it was accepted globally that these foods are not nutritionally valuable beyond their calorific content and that calories are available from other sources. It is also accepted that the harm they cause is associated with the major cause of morbidity and mortality in the community. Dr. Levy added that it was a public health responsibility to promote, facilitate and enable the citizenry to make healthy choices and within the jurisdiction and scope of the City to do this in its own facilities.

Councillor Feltmate commented that the issue was promotion versus enforcement and that the City’s approach took away the right of people to make their own choices. She did not believe that regulation was required at this point in time.

The Committee Chair, Diane Deans, said she could not why anyone would choose to consume trans fats knowing their effects. As a consumer, she would prefer to see canteens and vending machines with trans fat free products. This removes the burden on the consumer to read the label and make a decision. She said she did not believe this to be an all-inclusive move, but rather one small step towards public awareness and education. Chair Deans averred that the City must take a leadership role and signal to others that they should be paying attention to trans fats. By reducing trans fats, there will be an impact on heart diseases that will translate into savings in the health care system. She congratulated Councillor Cullen for bringing the matter forward and she encouraged the committee members to support his Motion.

Councillor Rick Chiarelli called for the vote to be recorded:

Moved by A. Cullen

That the Community and Protective Services Committee recommend that Council approve:

1. That the City of Ottawa require by 1 January 2008, new contract food suppliers and caterers providing services to the City of Ottawa and it’s programs be processed trans fat free;

CARRIED, as amended

YEAS ( 4 ): G. Bédard, A. Cullen, P. Feltmate, D. Deans

NAYS ( 2 ) : R. Chiarelli, S. Qadri

[1] Ottawa Public Health (2006). City of Ottawa 2006 Health Status Report: “Measuring health in Ottawa to build a stronger and healthier community”. Ottawa, Ontario.

[2] Health Canada (2006). TRANSforming the Food Supply. Report of the Trans Fat Task Force. Downloaded on April 24, 2007 from http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/fn-an/alt_formats/hpfb-dgpsa/pdf/nutrition/tf-gt_rep-rap_e.pdf