Local Physicians Resign from AAFP in Response to

Coca-Cola Partnership

 

 

Last week, more than 20 physicians joined Dr. William Walker, the Director of Contra Costa Health Services to resign from the American Association of Family Physicians (AAFP) over their deal with Coke to promote sweetened beverages "as part of a healthy diet and a balanced lifestyle". Read more. . .

 

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CA Senate Hearing in LA on Sugar-Sweetened Drinks and Obesity

 

Advocates across the state are also taking a stand on sugar-sweetened beverages; their tireless efforts now have state representatives listening. On Thursday, November 5th, the Senate Select Committee on Obesity and Diabetes and the Senate Health Committee will convene a joint informational hearing on the link between sugar- sweetened beverages and the health of Californians. This is a key issue for public health and chronic disease control. Chaired by Senator Alex Padilla, the hearing will feature testimony from beverage industry representatives, state officials, researchers, health professionals, marketing experts, as well as community and foundation leaders.  We encourage all advocates to attend this hearing, if possible, and submit public comment. For more information, please visit California Center for Public Health Advocacy.

  

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Not So “Smart Choices”:

Industry Labeling Campaign Loses Backing

Faced with increasing criticism from healthy food advocates and nutritionists over the Smart Choices campaign, the Food and Drug Administration is now moving quickly to devise rules for package-front nutrition labeling.

Read more. . .

 

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Strategic Alliance at APHA Annual Meeting & Exposition 2009

 

 Are you attending the American Public Health Association’s Annual Meeting and Exposition? Don’t miss Strategic Alliance Steering Committee member presentations! Click here to find out more. . .

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Resources and Reports

Cereal Companies Spend Millions Every Year to Market the

Unhealthiest Food to Children

 

A new study demonstrates that find that children’s cereals have 85 percent more sugar, 65 percent less fiber and 60 percent more sodium than cereals marketed to adults. In addition, companies are spending more than $156 million dollars a year to market these cereals directly to kids. Read more. . .

 

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“Getting to Grocery”: Tools for Attracting Healthy Food Retail to

Underserved Neighborhoods

Many public, private, and nonprofit organizations support projects—like grocery store development—that help build a healthy economy. But these resources are often scattered across city departments and other organizations, and most were created for purposes other than grocery store attraction. “Getting to Grocery,” a new guide from Public Health Law & Policy (PHLP) is designed to help advocates access local government resources to bring grocery stores into low-income communities.

Click here to check out this new report!

 

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A New Look for School Meals

 

Thanks to strong new recommendations from the Institute of Medicine, the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) and the School Breakfast Program (SBP) will see some improvements. The U.S. Department of Agriculture will write the IOM recommendations into regulations, which will ensure an increase the amounts of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains in school meals; reduce the content of sodium and trans fat; and ensure that the milk is low or no fat. While more work needs to be done to improve school meals, these changes are an important step to help foster healthier eating habits for millions of American children.

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