The goal of the First Nations Food, Nutrition and Environment Study (FNFNES) is to document food security and food safety issues, nutritional quality of the diet and environmental health of First Nations living on reserves. The intent is further to provide information needed for the promotion of healthy environments and healthy foods for health First Nations. A national baseline of background leve
ls of key environmental chemicals of concern and an assessment of diet quality of First Nations are this study’s main objective. Moreover, it also aims to quantify the intake of trace metals through drinking water and the presence of various pharmaceutically-active compounds that are used by First Nations that may find their way into surface waters that are used for fishing or as a source for drinking water. Results of this study will be useful for the development of community-level dietary advice and food guidance for First Nations at the regional level. The information on background exposures to POPs, toxic metals and pharmaceutical products is also essential for First Nations as an enabling foundation for any future food monitoring at the community level. Results of this study are intended to empower communities to make informed decisions to address and mitigate environmental health risks. Using an ecozone sampling framework, the FNFNES aims to gather information with 100 randomly selected First Nation communities across Canada about:
- Current traditional and store bought food use;
- Food security;
- Traditional foods for nutrient values and
environmental chemical hazards;
- Exposure to mercury;
- Drinking water for heavy metals; and
- Surface water for pharmaceutical
metabolites.
