In the last edition of the Regulatory Arena, we introduced you to Health Canada’s “modernization makeover”. As we noted, in part that endeavor is focused on making over the CFIA’s inspection program. In this edition of the Regulatory Arena, we will cover one of the more recent elements of the inspection modernization makeover: the Integrated Agency Inspection Model (or “iAIM”). …

The Canadian Health Food Association (CHFA) announced the top natural health trends to look for this summer at local health food stores. “Summer heat and seasonal changes put new stresses on our body’s systems,” said CHFA president Helen Long. “Leading experts helped us find new, exciting, natural solutions that we are pleased to share with Canadians across the country to …

Ontario farmers and processors have a new tool to measure current business performance and help build an action plan for greater success. The Agricultural Management Institute’s (AMI) Business Score Card is an online business assessment tool developed for farmers and processors to help them to identify business management strengths, weaknesses and gaps; develop action plans to improve business management performance; …

Loblaw Companies Limited announced the purchase of Arz Fine Foods, an established Middle Eastern grocery retailer located in Toronto. It will operate as a unique operating division of Loblaw. Canada’s Middle Eastern population represents about 2 per cent of the population and is one of the fastest growing market segments. “This key partnership holds great promise as Canada’s Middle Eastern …

After some recent high-profile closures the food manufacturing industry received a boost with the official opening of the new Dr. Oetker’s facility in London. The company’s new frozen pizza production facility, which has been in operation since mid-March, will act as a production hub for the company’s North American pizza operations. “Canada is an excellent market for Dr. Oetker,” said …

CANADA AGRICULTURE AND FOOD MUSEUM EXPLORES THE SCIENCE BEHIND FOOD PRESERVATION The Canada Agriculture and Food Museum’s (CAFM) new exhibition, Food Preservation: The Science You Eat, gives the topic of food science centre stage. The CAFM’s mandate, to foster scientific and technological literacy, meant the science behind food preservation was a natural fit. “Early testing on the topic of the …

NOVA SCOTIAN BEEKEEPER RECEIVES RESEARCH HELP AFTER RECEIVING NSERC ENGAGE GRANT Text by Lindsay Grummett When Margaret Cornect and her husband bought land in rural Nova Scotia over 20 years ago, they decided to start a blueberry farm. “We realised we would need bees to pollinate the blueberries so I bought two beehives,” says Cornect. Since then Cornect Family Farm’s …

A groundbreaking new study published recently in Obesity, the journal of The Obesity Society, says drinking diet beverages helps people lose weight. “This study clearly demonstrates that diet beverages can in fact help people lose weight, directly countering myths in recent years that suggest the opposite effect – weight gain,” said James O. Hill, Ph.D., executive director of the University …

Circle Monday, August 18 at 5 p.m. in your calendar. On the second day of the IUFoST World Congress three leading industry experts from Nestlé, Coca-Cola and Campbell will discuss the challenges their respective sectors face and how the industry as a whole can work to achieve common goals. All congress delegates, participating sponsors and exhibitors will have the chance …

Randy White, President of Sysco Canada, dishes on how the appetite for fresh and healthy is affecting the industry Interview by Nicolas Heffernan The fresh food movement is moving quickly and Randy White won’t let Sysco get left behind. The president of Sysco’s Canadian operations is trying to position the company to meet both consumer and client demands for fresh …