Food and Health Policy in the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs

Rapid increases in obesity and chronic disease rates are stressing healthcare systems and government budgets around the world. They are also causing people, governments and companies to look more closely at the relationship between food and health. The issue is complex and involves many stakeholders from government and non-governmental agencies, as well as businesses. Food and health can have both positive and negative impacts on the food industry. As the director of strategic policy at the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, Mike Walters has to decide whether to engage his Ministry in the issue and, if so, what approach to use. He must carefully assess the risks and rewards for the government, the ministry and for himself. As part of his strategy on food and health, he has to make an immediate decision on partnering with the Lawrence Centre for Policy and Management at the Richard Ivey School of Business on a proposed food and health policy workshop.