Limit mark-ups, not prices

According to the Heart and Stroke Foundation’s (HSF) new report, the price for healthy foods varies widely across Canada, the Globe and Mail reported Feb. 10.

The HSF asked volunteers from 66 communities across the country to shop at national or regional grocery chain stores for items listed in the federal government’s national nutritious food basket. The findings suggest a person’s geographical location may contribute to difficulties in keeping a healthy diet.

The report included survey results that indicate 40 per cent of those surveyed have chosen not to buy a healthier option because of cost and 80 per cent want the federal government to regulate the price of nutritious foods.

Although the alarming growth in obesity rates suggests it’s necessary for the government to act in the best interests of citizens’ health, price regulation is an unreliable and logistically difficult system to implement.

Without having more research to corroborate the HSF’s findings, it’s difficult to determine if there’s a correlation between lowering food prices and healthier eating.

People who are used to making unhealthy purchases because they’re cheaper may not automatically switch to buying healthier foods simply because the prices have been lowered, and a price regulation program would have to be accompanied by an extensive health education campaign to encourage healthy eating and exercise.

Health Canada would also have to create a list of nutritious foods to be regulated, taking into account the diversity of dietary patterns in Canada.

With the different brands available in grocery stores, it would be difficult to set standard prices for items.

The cost of food items is also determined by their transportation costs, and regulating the cost means some areas would benefit more than others.

In order to account for regions’ different geography, income levels and costs of living, it might be more beneficial to consider provincial price regulation or regulating store mark-ups, not specific prices.

The government should encourage people to buy local, in-season produce, which is often healthier because it contains fewer preservatives and cheaper because it limits transportation costs.

It’s encouraging that people are seeking ways to eliminate the socioeconomic hierarchy at the grocery store, but they must find a viable alternative to price regulation.

Keep chewing on it.

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