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Strategic Alliance  

 
 
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STRATEGIC ALLIANCE
221 Oak Street
Oakland, CA 94607
Tel: 510.444.7738
Fax: 510.663.1280

 
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Strategic Alliance Newsletter
January 2011

Eye on Industry

Front-of-Package Labels that Market Children’s Food Products Hide Truth:
84% of products studied fail to meet basic nutrition standards

When it comes to front-of-package labeling, parents are being misled, says a Prevention Institute study released last week through Strategic Alliance. Claiming Health: Front-of-Package Labeling of Children's Food examined children’s products with front-of-package labeling – manufacturer-developed symbols aimed at helping shoppers make healthier choices – and found that 84% of products studied failed to meet basic nutritional standards.

Despite the positive benefits the labels imply, study findings reveal:

  • More than half (57%) of the study products qualified as high sugar, and 95% of products contained added sugar.
  • More than half (53%) were low in fiber.
  • More than half (53%) of products did not contain any fruits or vegetables; of the fruits and vegetables found, half came from just 2 ingredients - tomatoes and corn.
  • 24% of prepared foods were high in saturated fats.
  • More than 1/3 (36%) of prepared foods & meals were high in sodium.

Claiming Health underscores that the current system is broken: we can't count on food companies to decide which products receive front-of-package labels and what information those labels include. Without FDA regulation, instead of giving more information to parents struggling to make the best decisions for their kids, families are being misled. Read more.

News and Reports

 

Promoting Breastfeeding in California and Beyond: California WIC Hospital Breastfeeding Report Released Today

Yesterday, California WIC Association released its report One Hospital at a Time: Overcoming Barriers to Breastfeeding, calling for increased breastfeeding support and resources for new mothers. This report follows on the heels of Surgeon General Regina M. Benjamin’s “Call to Action to Support Breastfeeding,” issued last week, which provides concrete steps to improve breastfeeding rates and address the many barriers that exist. Read more.

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Advancing Healthy Eating and Active Living in California: CA Obesity Prevention Plan Released

This January marks the beginning of a new administration in California. And with the new administration comes the opportunity to advance equitable, healthy food and activity environments. The State’s Department of Public Health has just released the 2010 California Obesity Prevention Plan – a comprehensive plan that tackles food and activity from all angles. Read more.

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Hollywood Farmers' Market Update

A few weeks ago, we sent out an alert urging advocates to take action against the impending closure of the historic Hollywood Farmers’ Market. Your letters, phone calls, and comments succeeded in securing a 90-day extension for the market, which is in danger of losing valuable space to make way for the neighboring LA Film School’s parking expansions. This extension is an encouraging step, and proves that our communal efforts do make a difference. The battle to secure the Market’s future is not over, however, as alternative solutions to expand the LA Film School’s parking spaces while maintaining the weekly market are still under negotiation. For more information, and to receive more updates, click here.

Physical Activity Spotlight

Landmark Investment in Physical Activity in Santa Ana, CA

Community members in Santa Ana have been passionately advocating for safe, open spaces for residents to gather and play, and now, their hard work has paid off. Latino Health Access has been awarded $3.5 million through the Proposition 84 Park Grant to build the first and only park and community center in the 92701 zip code area of Santa Ana. Read more.

Upcoming Events


RSVP Now for a Congressional Briefing on the Intersection of Violence and Health 

Addressing the Intersection: Preventing Violence and Promoting Healthy Eating and Active Living

Wednesday, February 2, 2011

9:00 AM to 10:00 AM

Venue: Capitol Visitor Center, Room 203-02, Washington, D.C.

For more information, click here.

 

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Thanks for reading!  The Strategic Alliance is currently engaged in building a broad and diverse statewide membership.  If you were forwarded this e-mail and want to receive your own copy in the future, please click here or e-mail phebe@preventioninstitute.org.  And if you're already a member, please forward this message to your colleagues so we can continue to strengthen our coalition.  Thank you!

 

WHAT IS THE STRATEGIC ALLIANCE?

The Strategic Alliance is reframing the debate on nutrition and physical activity away from a focus solely on individual choice and lifestyle towards one of environmental influences and corporate and government responsibility. Current Steering Committee members are: California Adolescent Nutrition and Fitness Program (CANFit), California Center for Public Health Advocacy (CCPHA), California Food Policy Advocates (CFPA), California Pan-Ethnic Health NetworkCalifornia Park and Recreation Society (CPRS) California Project LEANCalifornia WIC Association (CWA), Child Care Food Program RoundtableLatino Health AccessPartnership for the Public's Health, Prevention Institute, PolicyLinkSamuels & Associates and Public Health Law & Policy.

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