OTTAWA – Health Canada released a series of disturbing anti-inactivity, anti-junk food warning labels this week in an effort to combat the country’s high rates of obesity. The warnings will appear during television programs and on the majority of packaged edible goods, covering 75% of the packaging in attempts to scare people into quitting fast food.
Officials said that their new “comprehensive fat control strategy” would include not only graphic images, but also bold statements such as, “That Twinkie Will Kill You”.
The new ads will also feature a toll-free national helpline to allow inactive individuals, especially those who drive to the corner store, to get in touch with a Health Canada volunteer. The volunteer will meet with at-risk individuals for a walk to the park and attempt to engage them in a game of Frisbee.
Canadians who feel targeted by this campaign have expressed disapproval towards the government’s initiative, and many are finding ways to avoid the ads altogether while continuing to consume products deemed unsafe. The sales of contraband fast-food and cookies are expected to increase, as are special made containers that wrap around packaging to block out the warning labels.
“We’ve already seen test cases react to the ads by blocking parts of their TV sets with furniture they have on hand,” said Mike Riley, a Health Canada representative. “So we decided to have the ads change in size, at times blocking up to 75% of the television screen. If the viewer still feels compelled to get up and shift the furniture some more, well at least we got them moving.”
Realizing that moving furniture can be considered a form of exercise, others simply cover their screen with duct tape and old fast food wrappers.
In response to the graphic labels featuring images of overweight bodies, drive-thru enthusiast Lenny Chalmers said he didn’t understand the message. “Basically, there’s going to be a mirror on my product packaging and TV screen,” said Chalmers. “I already know what I look like, so I’m not sure what the warning is supposed to be.”
Others have responded more aggressively.
“This is bullshit,” said Brampton resident, Mac McDonald. “I just want to enjoy a bag of ketchup chips while I watch the morning news, not look at some half-naked guy who vaguely resembles me. Christ, I might have to splurge and buy a bowl for my chips.”
McDonald added: “Would the volunteer hotline help me with that? With finding a bowl?”
Critics of the new campaign believe that the obesity epidemic could more easily be curbed by simply putting the words “low fat”, “organic”, or “made with all natural ingredients” on all junk food packaging.
with files by Leah Edwards
