More than 160 healthcare professionals urge removal of processed meats from institutional menus
This open letter is a call to action from over 160 Canadian physicians, dietitians, and allied health professionals urging Health Canada to align hospital and school food policy with chronic disease prevention and dietary guidelines.
Plant-Based Canada is sharing the letter as part of our commitment to advancing health-promoting environments and encouraging discussion and engagement of food and health.
Open Letter to Health Canada, the Federal Minister of Health, and Provincial Ministers of Education and Health January 19th 2026
Re: A Call to Remove Processed Meats from Hospital and School Menus
Dear Ministers and Health Leaders,
As physicians, registered dietitians and allied health professionals, we have come together to express our shared concern about the continued presence of processed meats on hospital and school menus across Canada.
In light of the growing burden of diet-related diseases and in alignment with Canada’s Food Guide and the EAT Lancet Commission on Healthy, Sustainable and Just Food Systems, we respectfully urge a transition toward healthier, more sustainable institutional food environments, beginning with the removal of processed meats from publicly funded hospital and school menus.
Why this matters
Processed meats, such as bacon, ham, sausages, hot dogs, and deli meats, are classified as Group 1 carcinogens by the World Health Organization’s International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), meaning there is strong evidence they cause cancer in humans. Just 50 grams per day - the equivalent of one hot dog or two slices of bacon - increases colorectal cancer risk by 18%, contributing to an estimated 5,000 preventable cases annually in Canada. Red meat is classified as a Group 2A carcinogen, meaning it is probably carcinogenic.
Cancer remains the leading cause of premature death in Canada, with 1 in 2 Canadians expected to be diagnosed in their lifetime. Colorectal cancer alone is diagnosed in approximately 25,000 Canadians each year and causes over 9,000 deaths annually. Disturbingly, incidence is rising among those under 50 and is projected to become the leading cause of cancer-related death in this age group.
Beyond cancer, processed and red meat intake is strongly linked to heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes, hypertension, and premature mortality. Recent trends in children’s health are especially alarming: rates of type 2 diabetes among Canadian youth have risen by 60% over the past decade, putting them at 2–3 times higher risk of death than their peers.
These trends come at a steep cost:
· $37.7 billion CAD in cancer care costs in 2024 alone
· $30 billion CAD annually for diabetes
· Over $20 billion CAD annually for cardiovascular disease
· An estimated $13.8 billion CAD annually in economic burden from unhealthy diets comparable to the cost of smoking
These preventable diseases are straining our healthcare system, increasing wait times, contributing to burnout among health workers, and causing significant suffering for Canadians.
An opportunity for alignment
Hospitals are places of healing and recovery; schools are settings that shape children’s development, habits, and health. Continuing to serve known carcinogens and disease-promoting foods in these environments sends a contradictory message that undermines public health guidance and puts our more vulnerable populations at avoidable risk.
Encouragingly, Canada's 2019 Food Guide emphasizes a dietary pattern rich in vegetables, fruits, whole grains, and plant-based proteins, and specifically advises limiting red and processed meats. Several provinces and institutions, such as Vancouver Coastal Health and the BC and Ontario Ministries of Education, have made strides in reducing processed meat offerings. However, these products still appear regularly on menus across Canada.
We also recognize the role of food systems in addressing broader public health threats such as antibiotic resistance, zoonotic disease risk, and the climate crisis. Industrial red and processed meat production is a leading driver of greenhouse gas emissions, deforestation, air and water pollution, and biodiversity loss. Transitioning toward more plant-based institutional food policies is a practical and evidence-based step toward Canada’s environmental goals, which include reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 45-50% by 2035, and net zero by 2050.
Our shared path forward
We believe that by working together, we can create food environments that support recovery, promote long-term health, and model sustainable practices. Several Canadian organizations already specialize in supporting public institutions in making this transition, and are ready to help.
In this spirit, we respectfully recommend the following:
1. Phase out the provision of processed meats from hospital and school menus across Canada.
2. Establish nutrition standards for publicly funded institutions that align with current evidence on chronic disease prevention and sustainability.
3. Launch a national education campaign to raise awareness of the health risks of processed meat and promote healthy, plant-based alternatives.
We offer these recommendations in a spirit of collaboration and shared purpose. As health professionals dedicated to improving the wellbeing of Canadians, we are eager to support government leaders in realizing a healthier and more sustainable food system - one that reflects our national guidelines and rising public expectations.
We, the undersigned, look forward to working alongside you to advance this important goal.
References
1. Health Canada. Canada’s Dietary Guidelines for Health Professionals and Policy Makers. 2019. https://food-guide.canada.ca/en/guidelines/
2. Rockstrom, Johan et al. The EAT-Lancet Commission on healthy, sustainable, and just food systems, The Lancet, Vol 406, Issue 10512, 1525-1700
3. IARC. Carcinogenicity of consumption of red and processed meat. Lancet Oncology. 2015;16(16):1599–1600. https://doi.org/10.1016/S1470-2045(15)00444-1
4. WCRF/AICR. Diet, Nutrition, Physical Activity and Cancer: A Global Perspective. 2018. https://www.wcrf.org/dietandcancer
5. Wenming Shi et al, Red meat consumption, cardiovascular diseases, and diabetes: a systematic review and meta-analysis, European Heart Journal, Volume 44, Issue 28, 21 July 2023, Pages 2626–2635, https://doi.org/10.1093/eurheartj/ehad336
6. Alam S et al. Burden of disease attributable to risk factors in Canada: GBD 2016. CMAJ Open. 2019;7(1):E140–E148.
7. Zhong VW et al. Processed meat and CVD and all-cause mortality. JAMA Intern Med. 2020;180(4):503–512.
8. Li C et al. Meat consumption and type 2 diabetes: federated meta-analysis. Lancet Diabetes Endocrinol. 2024;12(9):619–630.
9. Amed S et al. Type 2 diabetes in Canadian children: a national surveillance study. Diabetes Care. 2010;33(4):786–91.
10. Ugai T et al. Is early-onset cancer an emerging epidemic? Nat Rev Clin Oncol. 2022;19(10):656–673.
11. Zhao J et al. Global trends in early-onset cancer. BMJ Oncol. 2023;2:e000049.
12. Diabetes Canada. Diabetes rates continue to climb in Canada. March 3, 2022. https://www.diabetes.ca/media-room/press-releases/diabetes-rates-continue-to-climb-in-canada
13. Clark MA et al. Multiple health and environmental impacts of foods. PNAS. 2019;116(46):23357–62.
14. Poore J, Nemecek T. Reducing food’s environmental impacts. Science. 2018;360(6392):987–992.
15. 10. Lancet Countdown Canada Report. 2024. https://lancetcountdown.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Lancet-Countdown-2024_CANADA.pdf
16. Canadian Cancer Society. Economic Impact of Cancer in Canada. 2024. https://cancer.ca/Canadian-Cancer-Statistics-2024-EN
17. Lieffers JRL et al. Economic burden of not meeting food recommendations in Canada. PLoS ONE. 2018;13(4):e0196333.
Canadian Healthcare Professional Signatories
Dr. Zahra Kassam MBBS, MSc, FRCPC DipABLM, Radiation Oncologist, Assistant Professor, University of Toronto, Plant-Based Canada (Director) Corresponding signatory
Dr. Maria E. Theodorou, MD PhD FRCPC DipABLM, Assistant Professor, Queen’s University, Faculty of Health Sciences, Consultant Internist, LifestyleRx and Aroga Lifestyle Medicine.
Dr. Sheila Lakhoo MD CCFP DipABLM, Family Physician
Dr. Amardeep Singh Mangat, Internal Medicine , Lecturer University of Toronto, Deans Council TMU School of Medicine, Medical Director Aroga Lifestyle Medicine
Dr. Irina Ghenea MD, CFPC, Family Physician
Dr. Phil Narini, MSc, MD, FRCSC, FACS Taunton Surgical Centre, Mindful Mind Café
Dr. Arjun Rayapudi MD FRCSC FACS, General Surgeon, Assistant professor of Surgery, Memorial University
Dr. Michael Klaper MD, DipABLM, Program Director Moving Medicine Forward, Aroga Lifestyle Medicine Clinic
Dr. Sarah Keating MD FRCPC MSc Associate Professor Emerita University of Toronto, Canadian Lyme Disease Foundation
Dr. Marianne Trevorrow ND MSCP, Editor-in-Chief, CAND Journal
Dr Reena Chada, The Christie Clinic family practice
Dr Christine Gibson - Clinical Assistant Professor, University of Calgary Cumming School of Medicine, Departments of Family Medicine and Psychiatry
Dr. Samina Ali, Pediatric Emergency physician, University of Alberta
Tammy Quinn, BSc(Pharm), RPh
Dr. Kirsten Sjonnesen, MD
Dr. Cassandra Warbeck, MD CCFP current fellow in Sports and Exercise Medicine, University of Alberta
Dr. Natasha Desjardins CCFP-EM
Michelle Pierce Hamilton, BA, RHN, PMP
Dr. Eric Leong, BA, MD, FRCPC, DipABLM, Consultant Gastroenterologist,
Hepatologist, Therapeutic Endoscopist, Lifestyle Medicine Physician
Dr. Nabha Shetty, MD, FRCPC, MSc General Internist; Associate Professor of Medicine, Dalhousie
Dr. Shailla Vaidya MD MPH CCFP(EM)
Dr. Manuela Tudor MD, CCFP, DipABLM
Dr. Catherine Lafleche, MD, CCFP, DipABLM
Dr. Sussan Askari, MD, FRCPC, DipABLM, Assistant Professor , Queen’s University
Nital Jethalal, M.Sc, Health Economist & Executive Director of Institute for Future Food Systems
Dr. Henry Swoboda, MD, DipABEM, DipABPM, DipABLM; Assistant Professor,
Queens University
Dr. Ana Drandic. MD DipABLM
Dr. Jade Dittaro, MD, CCFP, DipABLM, Hospitalist, Kelowna General Hospital
Dr. Keltie Duggan MD CCFP FCFP
Dr. Nizal Sarrafzadegan, Affliate Professor, School of population and Public Health, University of British Columbia
Dr. Julie Chan, ND and R.Ac.
Serena Jamal, RN, Halton Healthcare
Shazmah Hussein, Nurse Practitioner
Dr. Paige Hacking MD CCFP
Dr. Mimmi Thompson, MD CCFP
Dr. Andrea Milne-Epp MD, CCFP
Dr. Sarah Freedman, MD, MES, FRCPC (Pediatrics)
Dr. Z Gong MD, CCFP
Dr. Ekaterina Slivko, MD, CCFP
Dr. Firrhaana Sayanvala, MD, CCFP
Holly Kalyn-Nurse Practitioner BScN MN NP, West Parry Sound Health Centre
Victoria Laine, RHN
Dr. Sylvie Champagne
Dr Jason MacIntosh MD, CCFP (SEM)
Dr Hala Kufaishi , FRCPC, Assistant professor , Internal Medicine , ABOM
Dr. Seana Nelson MD FRCPC
Dr. Alaya Yassein, MD FRCSC, Halton Healthcare
Dr. Teela Johnson, Lecturer, University of Toronto
Dr. Nanci Guest, PhD, RD, CSCS - University of Toronto
Dr Samah Chiry, Family and Lifestyle Medicine, QC
Dr. Max Silverman MD, PGY2 Internal Medicine, University of Toronto
Dr. Nate Charach, MD, FRCPC
Dr. Daria Comsa, PhD, MCCPM, clinical physicist, Southlake Health, Lecturer, Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Toronto
Dr. David Rosen, retired FMD, member of Canadian Association of Physicians for the Environment
Chef Amy Symington, MSc, PhD Candidate, Nutrition Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto
Dr. Joy Hataley MD FCFPC
Dr. David Ohrling, MD CCFP(EM)(Anes) Dip. Sport Med., Emergency Physician and Anesthesiologist, Collingwood General and Marine Hospital
Paulina Araujo RD CDE, Trillium Health Partners
Mili Arora RD, Registered Dietitian, Diabetes specialist, Trillium Health Partners, Mississauga, ON
Himanshu Kapoor, R.Kin, Trillium Health Partners, ON
Arpita Khalsa, RD, CDE
Kristen Imfeld, RD - Trillium Health Partners, ON
Saima Murtaza-Vahed, DR, CDE Trillium Health Partners
Stacy Neilson, RN, BScN
Dawn Jerke RN Island Health
Teresa Pokorna, RN, BSN, VIHA
Jenna Kane RN BSN island health
Amanda Fast, Registered Nurse
Jen Dobell RMT
Dr. Karis Callaway, Ph.D., C. Psych
Dr. Charlyn Black MD, ScD, Professor, Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia
Sarah Marwick, Registered Holistic Nutritionist, CSNN Alumni Association,
Dr. Sanam Arora, Naturopathic Doctor (ND), College of Naturopaths of Ontario
Dr. Subhas Ganguli, FRCPC, Associate Professor of Medicine, McMaster University
Samantha Green MD CCFP, Assistant Professor, University of Toronto
Dr. Kathleen Kevany, Professor, Sustainable Diets, Dalhousie University, Faculty of Agriculture
Fiona Parascandalo, PEACH Leadership Ontario, MacMaster University
Dr. Shilo Lefresne MD, FRCPC
Dr. Anita Rao, MD, FRCPC, Ontario's Anesthesiologists
Dr. Brent Elsey MD, Member CAPE - ON Agri food group
Dr. C. Tom Kouroukis, MD MSc FRCPC, Professor, Department of Oncology, McMaster University, Hamilton Health Sciences/Juravinski Hospital and Cancer Centre
Dr. Natasha Sodhi, MD ABLM, Rochester Regional Health
Dr. Sarah McCorquodale MD, CCFP, FCFP, Dip ABLM
Dr Katherine Kilpatrick, BA, BNSc, MD, CCFP, FCFP, Health for Life Medical Centre, Queen's University
Dr. Rajini Potechin MD FRCPC DipABLM, Consultant Internist at QCH, WDMH, CMH and LifestyleRx
Dr. Marie-Eve Bérubé, CCFP, dipABLM, University of Ottawa
Dr. Josee Adam, Family Physician, MD, CCFP
Dr. Leanne K Casaubon, MD, MSc, FRCPC, Medical Director, Stroke Program, University Health Network
Brent Ludwig, Medical Laboratory Technologist, Island Health
Dr. Teela Johnson, MSc, MD, CCFP-EM, Lecturer/Clinician Teacher University of Toronto
Dr. Samah Chiry, MD, Family Medicine, Quebec
Dr. Eric Leong, BA, MD, FRCPC, DipABLM; Gastroenterologist, Hepatologist, & Therapeutic Endoscopist at Humber River Health; Lifestyle Medicine Physician at Curate Health
Dr. Charlyn Black MD, ScD, Professor University of British Columbia
Dr. Anita Pozgay, MD, FRCPC-EM, Dip Sport Med, Assistant Professor, University of Ottawa
Precious Christian-Nnanyelugo, Medical Student
Dr. Zara Kiani MD, Family Medicine
Dr. Jaimi Heidman CCFP (PC)
Dr. Howard Yang, MD FRCPC, Pathologist
Kayla Breelove, clinical Traumatologist, M.A.Psych,Nu.Psych,LCT,CCC,RCT- Breelove wellness
Vivian Polak, MD, FRCPC, HBA, BMedSc, Plant-based certified, Perinatal Psychiatrist, Founder & CEO of Benessere North not-for-profit, Assistant Clinical Professor (Adjunct) McMaster University
Michelle Pierce, RHN, PMP, Primary Care Transformation Lead, Middlesex London OHT
Dr. Marsha Rosenberg, MD, FRCPC, DipABPN
Dr. Mylene Juneau, MD, CCFP, Co-Founder Blue Life Rx, Co-Investigator for CLIP-ON
Dr. Caroline Rhéaume, MD, PhD, DipABLM, Family Physician and clinical researcher
Dr. Charles Coish MD, CFPC, Eastern Health Zone NS
Maya Baroudi, Bsc. Registered Kinesiologist
Tanya Howley, Pharmacist
Dr. Joan Salah, MD, CCFP
Dr. Sangeeta Oza, M.D. DipACLM, family physician
Dr. Jackie Bailey PhD, registered psychologist
Frances Hopkins RN with Nova Scotia Health
Melissa MacLean C&B Advisor NSHA Eastern Zone
Jean McKeough, MSW, RSW/ N.S. Health
Dr. Shobha Rayapudi, MD, ScM, DipABLM, Wellness Director of Gift of Health (Co-founder)
Dr. Tushar Mehta MD CCFP, William Osler Health Systems
Jaiten Saini, Family Medicine Resident Physician, BM BS BAO, McMaster University Niagara Site
Avery Zenker, Registered Dietitian, Health for Life Medical Centre
Rowena Leung, Registered Dietitian, Certified Diabetes Educator
Dr. Laura Minard, BSc, BSc(Pharm), ACPR, PhD, Clinical Pharmacy Coordinator (Oncology
and Hematology), Nova Scotia Health
Marilaine Savard M. Pht, Kin FKQ
Dr. Isabelle Vallieres, MD FRCPC, Radiation Oncologist, BC Cancer Victoria
Nathalie Zeemel, RSW, Trillium Health Partners
Susan Snitynsky RD
Dr. Rikin Patel MD MSC FRCPC DipABLM, Pediatrician, Lifestyle Medicine Physician, Assistant Professor University of Toronto, Founder Reset Pediatric Lifestyle Medicine
Janice Marchildon RPN, DNP, MSN
Desiree Nielsen RD, Registered Dietitian
Dr. Mark Voysey FRCPC, FASAP, Adolescent Psychiatrist
Kristie Wiedenfeld, Nutrition Manager, Canadian Society of Nutrition Management
Dr. Tatiana Conrad, Radiation Oncologist MD FRCPC Southlake Health
Anoj Satheesan, Pt, DPT, MBA, FAGE, PGD.PPHC. Cure Touch Physio and Wellness Centre
Dr. Mateya Trinkaus, MD FRCPC, Medical oncologist, Oak Valley Health Markham ON
Dr. Martina A Trinkaus, MD FRCPC, Unity Health Toronto, Associate Professor
Carole Brohman, Executive Director, Colorectal Cancer Canada
Dr. Haiyan Wang, PhD, DipACLM
Dr. Nafisha Lalani, MD, FRCPC, University of Toronto
Dr. Mojgan Taremi MD, FRCPC, University of Toronto
Dr. Haiyan Wang PhD, MSc, DipACLM, Health Coach
April Swoboda, MD, Medical Oncologist, Cancer Centre of Southeastern Ontario at Kingston Health Sciences Centre, Assistant Professor, Department of Oncology, Queen's University
Dr. Bhiku Jethalal MD, FRCP(C)
Dr. Jay Sethi, MD, FRCPC, ESRS, ABOM, DipABLM, Psychiatrist, Somnologist, Obesity & Lifestyle Medicine Physician.
Dr. Aleksandra Pikula MD, DipABPN, DipABLM, FAHA, FELMO
Sangeeta Kumar, M.Ed, R.Ac
Dr. Meghana Samant, MD, FRCP(C), DipABLM
Dr. Nureen Pirbhai, MD, CCFP, Fraser Health, BC.
Dr. Amy Goodday CCFP(EM), DipABLM
Michelle Pierce Hamilton, PMP, RHN, practising Nutritionist & podcaster; former Primary Care Transformation Lead, Middlesex London Primary Care Network
Dr. Amaikiye Amara MD
Sobharani Rayapudi, M.D, ScM, DipABLM - Wellness Director and CEO Gift of Health
Dr. Ivonne Szamko, MD, MPH, DipIBLM. Canadian Lifestyle Medicine Group, American College of Lifestyle Medicine
Dr. Vanessa Barnwell, MD. Internal Medicine, Aroga Lifestyle Medicine
Dr. Shayda Ziai MD CCFP DipABLM, Aroga Lifestyle Medicine
Dr. Anjleen Saund, MD, Diplomat of ABIM, Aroga Lifestyle Medicine Clinic
Dr. Rabia Atif MD
Dr. Nazia Hossain, MD, FRCPC, DipABLM, Aroga Lifestyle Medicine
Dr. Nafis Hossain MD FRCPC Internal Medicine, Aroga Lifestyle Medicine
Dr. Ramandeep Bains, DO, CCFP
Dr. Sonieya Nagarajah, MD FRCPC, Internal Medicine Specialist, Aroga Lifestyle
Medicine Clinic
Dr. Yong Gyu Hyun, MD , FRCPC
Dr. Anchela Rajeshwaran, MD, ABIM Internal Medicine and Geriatrics, FRCPC, Montfort Hospital
Catherine Connally, MSACN, DipACLM, Clinical Nutritionist
Dr. Razi Hemani. Psychiatrist. MRCPsych. Nova Scotia Health
Dr. David Reid MD
Dr. Heather Ring MD, FRCSC, DipABLM