modelling, computer simulation and things you probably never knew about David Pink1,2  | Michael Nickerson3 Before Alberta Einstein made it big, he served as a clerk in a Swiss Patent Office in Bern Switzerland around 1903, during which time he logged in the patent for Toblerone bar for its characteristic triangular prism shape resembling that of the Swiss Alps. Since …

by Richard A. Holley Canada was an “early adopter” of food irradiation, but its status in Canada has remained unchanged for almost 50 years. This article explores reasons for maintenance of the status quo and offers a glimpse of how irradiation can be strategically used to improve the safety of food and the health of Canadians. CURRENT SITUATION If government …

In recent years, an enormous amount of attention has been paid to food labels. We know that Health Canada is looking at labels as it modernizes our food labeling system. We also know that consumers are looking at labels; all food trend forecasting tells us that consumers are more interested than ever with how food is made and where ingredients …

The Nutrition Facts table on food items in the grocery store may soon look very different, resembling nutrition labels in the United States. Health Canada, which proposed these changes to the current table, says the goal is to “provide Canadians with the nutrition information they need to make informed decisions about the foods they buy.” The new table gives more …

Innova Market Insights recently identified its top 10 trends likely to impact the food industry in 2015 and beyond, identified by the company’s ongoing analysis of key global developments in food and drink launch activity worldwide. In previous years, Innova has consistently predicted upcoming trends, including “Sustainability” in 2008, “Free-From Rises” in 2010, “Return to Softer Claims” in 2011, and …

SASKATCHEWAN’S DEPUTY MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE TALKS LENTILS, INTERNATIONAL PARTNERSHIPS AND THE MAGIC OF RESEARCH Text by Hermione Wilson There’s more to Saskatchewan than bread.“We’re sometimes known for our branded products,” says Alanna Koch, Saskatchewan’s Deputy Minister of Agriculture, “but the other thing we’re known for is ingredients, high quality ingredients.” Companies like InfraReady Products market Saskatchewan cereal grains, pulses and …

Personalized dietary advice based on a person’s genetic makeup improves eating habits compared to current “one-size-fits-all” dietary recommendations, says a University of Toronto researcher. “We conducted the first randomized, controlled trial to determine the impact of disclosing DNA-based dietary advice on eating habits,” said Ahmed El-Sohemy, an associate professor in nutritional sciences and Canada Research Chair in Nutrigenomics. “We found …

Raw food, like edible seeds such as chia, hemp, flax, and sesame, boasts a broad range of health benefits and are growing in popularity. However, many consumers are unaware that raw unprocessed foods, such as seeds, may not be safe due to contamination by pathogens like E. Coli or Salmonella. This can have devastating effects on the health of consumers, …

Canada’s agriculture and food sector can safely be labeled “Old Faithful” for its contribution to Canada’s export-based economy. While not a flashy industry, it remains among the most dependable and consistent in terms of foreign sales year after year. Export Development Canada’s latest forecast called for foreign shipments, which totaled more than $50 billion in 2013 and represented 9.5 per …

Maple water overcame competition from Europe and the United States to finish first at the recent 2014 Global Bottled Water Congress (GBWC). KiKi Maple Sweet Water was recognized as the top new product at the congress, which took place in Budapest, Hungary. The beverage is made with Ontario maple sap produced by manufacturer Troll Bridge Creek Inc. (TBCI). “We are …