In an editorial published Wednesday in CMA's Journal, the association pointed out that the bulk of food served in hospital cafeterias across the nation have high levels of trans fat, salt, sugar and other unhealthy ingredients. Other hospitals even have outlets of fast food chains known for fat, sugar and salt-laden items.
"Although hospitals are the front line for delivering medical treatment, health promotion and education, paradoxically the food they sell are frequently generic versions of fast food staples or, worse yet, brand-name fast food," according to the editorial.
The co-authors of the editorial, Dr. Yoni Freedhoff and Dr. Rob Stevenson, said they discussed the issue with Canadian hospitals, but medical center administrators countered it was not their duty to monitor the quality of content of food in their cafeterias.
Other hospital managers said the diners are non-patient adults who have the freedom to select the food they eat, while some admitted they rely on income sources from sale of fast foods in their premises.
The alarm raised by the CMA follows the threat aired by Health Canada for bake shops to reduce the trans fat contents of their pastries or face regulation.
