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Canadian Consumers Protected

Prime Minister Stephen Harper today announced the federal government will boost protection for Canadian consumers with a tough and comprehensive overhaul of food and product safety laws. Earlier in the day, the government tabled legislation in the House of Commons designed to improve the safety of food, consumer, and health products in Canada.

The legislative package proposes amendments to the Food and Drugs Act as well as a new Canada Consumer Product Safety Act. The changes include a crack down on negligent manufacturers, importers and retailers who knowingly endanger their customers. Public access to information about product safety would also be improved, giving Canadians more control over their own health protection.

After all of the recalled food products, this is a really good way to protect Canadians ensuring that what we are buying is safe.

Source: http://www.pm.gc.ca/eng/media.asp?category=1&id=2059

Children’s Ad Ban Unrealistic

A proposal to ban all television advertising of food and drinks aimed at children under age 13 in Ontario is unrealistic in the internet age, and governments should instead concentrate on better educating both parents and children about commercials, advertisers and media observers said Monday.

The proposed private member’s bill in Ontario, introduced Monday, would be even less effective in today’s wired world, and children need to be taught to be more media savvy, said Jane Tallim, co-executive director of the Ottawa-based Media Awareness Network.

“TV tends to be quite a passive medium. The child watches an engaging commercial and it might encourage them to ask for a particular product,” Tallim said in an interview.

“But on the internet, you have marketers building whole environments that kids become immersed in, and that’s much more powerful in building brand identity and brand loyalty.”

The Media Awareness Network has a game on its website that helps children learn about advertising and how companies target them; Tallim said that’s a more effective approach than trying to implement a ban that just wouldn’t work.

The Concerned Children’s Advertisers — which represents 16 major food and beverage companies including General Mills, Kellogg’s, Kraft, Coca Cola and Pepsico — said Monday that the ban on advertising directed at children in Quebec has not lowered child obesity rates.

The children’s advertisers have adopted a new code in which some members will stop making commercials aimed at children under 12, cartoon characters will no longer be used to promote fast foods, and companies will use ads to promote healthier food choices and a more active lifestyle.

Source: http://www.cbc.ca/canada/ottawa/story/2008/04/08/ont-advertising.html

Ontario Gets Cake, and Eats it Too!

Ontario has helped attract Canada’s largest, privately owned dessert company, The Original Cakerie, to the community of London.

Manufacturing companies across North America face challenges from global competition, a high Canadian dollar and slowing economic growth in the United States. Ontario’s skilled workforce, rich resources and ideal proximity to markets provide the right environment for businesses to succeed.

he province will provide $2.5 million to The Original Cakerie and its partner, the Ontario Wheat Producers’ Marketing Board, for the construction of a new plant in London, expected to be completed by January 2009. Ontario’s wheat producers and dairy and egg farmers will benefit from the company’s need for local ingredients.

“We pride ourselves in creating delicious, high quality desserts and we’re aiming to be an employer of choice. London and the surrounding rural communities have the perfect combination of skilled labour, material resources and a community culture that is aligned with our company’s core values,” said David Hood, president of The Original Cakerie.

“I am pleased to extend a warm welcome to The Original Cakerie. London has the skilled labour and material resources as well as the infrastructure that an outstanding business like this one needs,” said Khalil Ramal, MPP London-Fanshawe.

“This new facility will create economic benefits and employment opportunities in our community which will be felt in London and across our province,” said Deb Matthews, MPP London North Centre.

Source: http://www.omaf.gov.on.ca/english/infores/releases/2008/022908.htm

Street Meat A la Carte

The City of Toronto is taking the next step to encourage and regulate the sale of a variety of tasty food alternatives to hotdogs and sausages in public places such as public squares and parks.

City Council in January approved a pilot project that starts with planning and consultation on the design and manufacture of up to 15 “Toronto a la cart” food-vending carts. The City’s intention is to have the pilot project up and cooking by mid-summer. The City is regulating the program to ensure that the food is safe to eat.

Benefits of this new food program
New provincial regulations for the sale of street foods give the City the opportunity to benefit from the sale of a wider range of food items on Toronto streets. Benefits include

• Introducing street food which reflects the breadth and depth of Toronto’s cultural diversity.
• Strengthening Toronto’s image-building efforts by branding the City as a place where residents and visitors can enjoy an array of authentic cuisine from all corners of the world. A Toronto Street Food Program, under the “Toronto a la Cart” brand and delivered through well-designed carts with a common look and feel, will further enhance this image in a highly visible, recognizable and public way.
• Promoting local cuisine and contributing to the recognition of Toronto as a desirable destination within the growing culinary tourism industry.
• Providing healthier fast food choices for Toronto residents and visitors.

Source: http://www.toronto.ca/business/alacart.htm

Competition on the Rise

Ontario’s food and beverage processors can increase their competitiveness and reduce costs with new technical, advisory, training and environmental sustainability programs designed and delivered by industry experts.

The province is providing $3 million as follows:

• The Alliance of Ontario Food Processors will receive $2 million to design and deliver a program to encourage innovation and productivity in the food processing sector. Program components could include expert advice on adopting new technologies, skills training and competitiveness research for the food sector, including tender fruit and vegetable processing.
• The Guelph Food Technology Centre will receive $1 million to carry out environmental and energy audits at food plants, and training programs for plant managers to implement the changes recommended in the audits.

“We want to ensure that food manufacturers have access to the latest technology and skills,” said Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs Leona Dombrowsky. “We are working to put the sector on a more stable foundation for the future.”

Source: http://www.omaf.gov.on.ca/english/infores/releases/2008/013108.htm