Health Minister Michael de Jong today welcomed a provincial/territorial sodium action report, which highlights health prevention work underway in B.C. and supports a Canada-wide strategy to reduce sodium intakes and improve the health of Canadians.

Excess sodium can cause a variety of health problems. It is linked to high blood pressure, the major cause of cardiovascular disease and a risk factor for stroke and kidney disease. There is also evidence that a diet high in sodium is a risk factor for osteoporosis, stomach cancer and asthma.

Canada's provincial and territorial ministers of health have released 'Reducing the Sodium Intake of Canadians: A Provincial and Territorial Report on Progress and Recommendations for Future Action'. The report stems from a September 2010 commitment by the federal, provincial and territorial ministers, with the exception of Quebec, to work together to lower the sodium intake of Canadians.

The report raises awareness of the need to reduce sodium consumption, highlights sodium reduction activities underway across the country and encourages discussion and participation among key partners, such as the federal government and non-government organizations.

Provinces and territories have committed to reduce sodium intake to a population average of 2,300 mg per person, per day by 2016. The recommended daily sodium intake for an adult is 1,500 mg, but the majority of Canadians consume more than twice the recommended amount.

Although Quebec does not subscribe to a Canada-wide sodium strategy, the Quebec government shares the general goals of the report and has joined other jurisdictions in contributing information about its sodium reduction programs and strategies.

The sodium report focuses on action in four key areas: lowering sodium in the food supply, awareness and education, research, and monitoring and evaluation. Specific future actions under consideration by the provinces and territories include:

• Developing consistent healthy food guidelines for the sale, serving and marketing of foods in publicly funded places, focusing on schools as a place to start and the creation of "best-fit" nutrition criteria by March 2013.
• Continuing to collaborate with the restaurant and food services sector and other partners to reduce sodium in foods and beverages and, exploring the use of B.C.'s Informed Dining program as a model, developing a framework for providing nutrition information by March 2013.
• Asking the food industry to join governments in publicly committing to the 2016 reduction goal.
• Encouraging health and education organizations, the food industry and other stakeholders to use the sodium reduction messages in the report in their healthy living and nutrition information and activities to increase public awareness.
• Continuing to share results of evaluation activities and by fall 2012, establishing an expert-based committee to oversee the development of consistent standards and practices in evaluation.
• Identifying options for monitoring sodium reduction in the food supply by 2013.

The Reducing the Sodium Intake of Canadians report is available in English and French and can be accessed online at: www.health.gov.bc.ca/cpa/mediasite/index.html

Quotes:

Minister of Health Michael de Jong -

"B.C. is leading the way in addressing the health impacts of high sodium, through our Healthy Families BC health prevention programs. By supporting British Columbians to make healthier choices and reduce their sodium intakes, we are helping to improve the health of B.C. families and to decrease health-care costs through a reduced incidence of chronic disease."

"Today's report highlights the need for a common, Canada-wide sodium strategy. While we are making great progress, we know that more needs to be done and we look forward to continued work with our federal, provincial and territorial partners as well as other key stakeholders."

Dr. Perry Kendall, British Columbia's provincial health officer and co-lead of the national Declaration on Prevention and Promotion endorsed by federal, provincial and territorial ministers in September 2010 -

"By raising awareness of the risks of excess sodium and working towards implementing consistent strategies that encourage people across the country to reduce their sodium intake, we can help prevent or delay a large proportion of cardiovascular or other health-related events and help Canadians stay healthier in the long term."

Diego Marchese, CEO, BC & Yukon, Heart and Stroke Foundation -

"Healthy eating and reducing dietary sodium are critical elements in staying healthy and avoiding cardiovascular disease. We applaud B.C. and the other provinces and territories for their work and commitment to move forward with a common sodium reduction strategy, which will benefit the health of Canadians."

Quick Facts:

'Reducing the Sodium Intake of Canadians: A Provincial and Territorial Report on Progress and Recommendations for Future Action' also highlights work underway to support sodium reduction strategies across the country, including B.C.

B.C.-specific initiatives include:

• Healthy Families BC, a comprehensive health promotion and prevention strategy, which aims to help British Columbians make the healthier choice, the easier choice. The strategy focuses on reducing chronic disease and obesity levels in the province through increased access to healthy eating and physical activity supports and information.
• In August 2011, as part of Healthy Families B.C., the Province launched the Informed Dining program with the endorsement of the Canadian Restaurant and Foodservices Association, BC Restaurant and Foodservices Association, Heart & Stroke Foundation and other industry leaders. Under the program, about 300 restaurants provide nutrition information for standard menu items (with a focus on sodium and calories) to help consumers make informed choices when eating out.
• B.C. has also developed an extensive awareness campaign to highlight risks of high sodium intake and to help increase sodium knowledge and includes contests, news segments and the Sodium City advertising campaign.
• An online, interactive Sodium Sense tool allows visitors to gauge how much sodium they consume throughout the day: www.healthyfamiliesbc.ca
• In 2011, the Province expanded access to HealthLink BC's Dietitian Services to offer easier access to registered dietitians who can answer any nutrition or food-related concerns. Telephone access is available by dialling 8-1-1 between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m., Monday to Thursday and 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Fridays. The service is also accessible by email at: www.healthlinkbc.ca/dietitian

Learn More:

For more information on B.C.'s Healthy Families BC prevention strategies, please visit: www.healthyfamiliesbc.ca

Media Contact:

Ryan Jabs
Media Relations Manager
Ministry of Health
250 952-1887 (media line)