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Board endorses statement discouraging ultra-processed meats in schools, cites recent study on dementia risk
Summary
Bourne's Board of Health voted to forward a drafted advisory asking the Select Board and School Board to consider discouraging ultra-processed meats in school cafeterias and to publish an educational piece; a member cited a recent study reporting a 58% higher risk of dementia among highest consumers of ultra-processed foods.
At its June 24 meeting the Bourne Board of Health approved forwarding a drafted advisory that encourages reduced consumption of ultra-processed foods and recommends that school cafeterias avoid serving processed deli meats, hot dogs and similar items. The board also approved submitting the draft to the Enterprise for publication and forwarding it to the Select Board and School Board for consideration.
A board member cited a recent longitudinal study following more than 5,300 adults and said those who consumed the highest amounts of ultra-processed foods had a substantially higher risk—"58 percent higher"—of developing dementia compared with those who consumed the least. The member framed the draft as an educational, nonregulatory advisory: "We're not legislating anything. We're just making a recommendation as a board of health," they said.
The draft describes ultra-processed foods as industrially formulated products with additives and preservatives and recommends increasing fresh fruits, vegetables, whole grains and other minimally processed foods. The board discussed distribution of the draft, possible publication in the local paper before July 4, and sending the memo and notes to the Select Board and School Board for their consideration.
Board members emphasized the statement is advocacy and education rather than a new law; staff will circulate the final text for review and place the item for a formal vote at the next meeting if needed.
