let-min-food-guide-cape-aug-2017-483ba88783c47685.pdf

The Canadian Association of Physicians for the Environment (CAPE) supports the draft guiding principles for Canada's next food guide, particularly the shift toward plant-based proteins and unsaturated fats. However, CAPE argues that the current draft incorrectly treats human health and the environment as separate entities. They advocate for a 'planetary health' approach that recognizes the ecosystem as a fundamental determinant of health and suggests incorporating Indigenous wisdom regarding sustainability and seven-generation planning. Additionally, CAPE highlights the absence of guidance on cultivation methods, citing research that links organic foods to higher antioxidant levels and lower pesticide residues, while warning that pesticide exposure is associated with neurodevelopmental deficiencies and certain childhood cancers.

• CAPE supports the draft food guide's emphasis on plant-based proteins, noting they are superior to high-animal-protein diets regarding human health, water use, land use, and greenhouse-gas emissions. They specifically cite that vegetarian diets can reduce colorectal cancer and improve glycemic control for those with Type II Diabetes.
• The authors argue that Health Canada should adopt a 'planetary health' frame, which defines health as the "health of human civilization and the state of the natural systems on which it depends". They criticize the draft's tendency to treat health and the environment as separate entities, asserting that the ecosystem is a fundamental determinant of human health.
• CAPE recommends that Health Canada incorporate Indigenous wisdom into the food guide, specifically the concept of planning for the protection of seven generations, to better link planetary health and sustainability with the health of current and future generations.
• The document highlights a lack of information on cultivation methods in the food guide, arguing that organic crops have higher concentrations of anti-oxidants and lower levels of cadmium and pesticide residues compared to conventionally-grown food.
• CAPE warns of the severe health risks associated with pesticide exposure, including cognitive deficits and neurodevelopmental deficiencies in children, as well as associations with childhood leukemia, brain cancer, and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.

APA

Canadian Association of Physicians for the Environment (2017). let-min-food-guide-cape-aug-2017-483ba88783c47685.pdf. https://cape.ca/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/Let-Min-Food-Guide-CAPE-Aug-2017.pdf#new_tab

Chicago

Canadian Association of Physicians for the Environment. let-min-food-guide-cape-aug-2017-483ba88783c47685.pdf. 2017. https://cape.ca/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/Let-Min-Food-Guide-CAPE-Aug-2017.pdf#new_tab.

Wikipedia

{{cite press release |author=Canadian Association of Physicians for the Environment |title=let-min-food-guide-cape-aug-2017-483ba88783c47685.pdf |date=1 August 2017 |url=https://cape.ca/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/Let-Min-Food-Guide-CAPE-Aug-2017.pdf#new_tab |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@misc{canadianassociationofphysiciansfortheenvironment2017letminfoodguidecapeaug2017483ba88783c47685pdf, author = {{Canadian Association of Physicians for the Environment}}, title = {{let-min-food-guide-cape-aug-2017-483ba88783c47685.pdf}}, publisher = {Canadian Association of Physicians for the Environment}, year = {2017}, month = aug, url = {https://cape.ca/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/Let-Min-Food-Guide-CAPE-Aug-2017.pdf#new_tab}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }