Ontario Liberals selling Pepsi to elementary school audience

Unethical to target young children with product associated with obesity, diabetes, osteoporosis, tooth decay and other ailments, OPSEU says

Toronto (30 July 2006) – The McGuinty government should stop trying to sell Pepsi to elementary school children through a provincial website, says the Ontario Public Service Employees Union.

“Campsite24.ca displays the Pepsi logo in no fewer than 344 places on the English-language site alone and offers direct links to (Pepsi's Canadian website),” says OPSEU President Leah Casselman.

“If Mr. McGuinty really wants to promote healthy food choices and an active lifestyle for children, as he claims, he’s got a strange way of going about it.”

The web site invites child users to enter a virtual visitor centre, play nature-themed video games, and watch movies that offer a glimpse of the park experiences they could have if they weren’t sitting at a computer. A resource area for teachers offers lesson plans for Grades 2 through 6.

“Clearly, (the site) is aimed at an elementary school audience,” says Casselman.

Consumption of soft drinks has been linked to obesity, type 2 diabetes, osteoporosis, tooth decay, and other ailments, she noted.

'Surrounded by ads'

In a 2004 report, Ontario’s Chief Medical Officer of Health, Sheila Basrur wrote:

"We are now living in ‘obesogenic’ environments, communities, workplaces, schools and homes that actually promote or encourage obesity…. Many young people do not have the opportunity to be physically active every day and are surrounded by ads promoting soft drinks and snack foods.

“I can think of few activities less likely to promote a healthy, active lifestyle than sitting at a computer thinking about going for a pop,” she said. “Instead of cutting nature educators in provincial parks and cutting deals with soft drink companies, the McGuinty government should boost funding for nature education and park maintenance and make it easier for children and families to enjoy a real, not virtual, park experience.”

The McGuinty government cut the equivalent of 226 summer jobs for seasonal and regular student employees in the provincial parks this year. This represents a 19% reduction from 2005 staffing levels. NUPGE