Canada needs to be a place that will sustainably produce more food — not less — while retaining consumer trust and confidence, says David McInnes.

Workshops conclude more credibility needed for Canada food brand

The nation needs to up its game to become a food safety leader

A lot remains to be done to give the Canada brand the global cachet needed to make Canadian food exports international bestsellers, a series of cross-country workshops has concluded. Organized by Canada 2020, the workshops will conclude in November with a session in the national capital that is intended to pull together the ideas that

Canada, along with other industrialized countries, is the victim in the issue of fraudulent documents in China. Food fraud is rampant throughout that country.

Comment: China clearly has Canada’s number on food safety

They’re using every tool they can to undermine Canada’s quality food brand, and we're losing the battle

Canada is losing the game of food safety optics against China. While Canada has demonstrated many times that its food safety record is outstanding, in fact, one of the best in the world, none of it matters now. Since Meng Wanzhou, the vice-president of Huawei, was arrested in Vancouver in December 2018, China has been


One study determined that if half of all Americans increased their consumption of a fruit and vegetable by a single serving each day, 20,000 cancer cases could be prevented each year.

Comment: ‘Dirty dozen’ list of ‘dangerous’ produce questioned

Unnecessary concern about pesticides could backfire by reducing consumption of cancer-fighting produce

Since 1995, an activist group (Environmental Working Group) has released a so-called “dirty dozen” produce list. However, peer-reviewed studies show this list’s recommendations are not scientifically supportable while other studies show it may negatively impact consumers since it discourages purchasing of any produce — organic or conventional. “There are many ways to promote organic produce

After how a romaine lettuce recall was recently handled, you can’t blame consumers for continuing to avoid certain leafy vegetables.

Comment: Romaine calm

An industry-led food safety program appears to have got complacent and self-congratulatory

So, we finally went from a slew of alerts on romaine lettuce to a series of clearcut recalls affecting various produce items, including romaine lettuce and cauliflower. This is the worst time of year for Canadians as our economy is more vulnerable to outbreaks in imported produce. Chances are cauliflower will be very expensive and

Is it safe to eat canned food past its best-before date?

Yes, but trust your eyes and nose if something seems off, say U of A experts

Are those forgotten cans of food in the cupboard that are years past their best-before dates, still safe to use? Very likely, say University of Alberta food scientists. Cans are sealed tightly against air and light, the culprits behind food spoilage, so they have a shelf life that lasts for years, said U of A


plastic trash on a beach

Comment: All you can eat, including the packaging?

A strong case for taste and food safety will have to be made before consumers will be willing to eat their garbage

Within a year, single-use plastics and excess packaging have become public enemy No. 1. Everyone is talking about how our lives are overrun by too much plastic. A recent Greenpeace-led audit looked at waterways waste and companies involved. Much of the plastic trash cleaned up from Canadian shorelines this fall was traceable to five companies:

Fresh fruit and vegetables are healthy, but take precautions to avoid foodborne illness.

Staying safe with food

Food safety scares underline 
the need for proper food 
handling for fresh produce

A recent scare around romaine lettuce here in the U.S. (Canadian readers can rest assured they were unaffected, though the CFIA says it’s monitoring the situation) has many wondering just how safe those leafy greens really are. “Can I eat the romaine lettuce in my refrigerator?” one recent caller asked me. “No, we need to

Local farmers, nutritionists, researchers and industry representatives tackle the GMO debate at the Brandon screening of “Food Evolution” April 10.

Documentary takes off the gloves on GMO debate

GMOs have been a lightning rod for controversy, but documentary 
‘Food Evolution’ argues that science has been the underdog in the debate

Agriculture recently had a red-carpet moment, with twin screening of the documentary “Food Evolution” in Brandon and Winnipeg. Organized by the Manitoba Canola Growers, Canola Eat Well, the Manitoba Farm Writers and Broadcasters Association, Canadian Agri-Marketing Association and Assiniboine Community College, screening and panel discussion on April 10 aimed to educate the public about the


Turkey Farmers of Canada recognized for on-farm food safety

Turkey Farmers of Canada recognized for on-farm food safety

It’s the fourth group to be fully approved by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency

Turkey Farmers of Canada (TFC) has become the fourth commodity group to receive full recognition for its on-farm food safety program from the Canadian Food Inspection Agency. Chicken Farmers of Canada, Dairy Farmers of Canada and CanadaGAP on behalf of fruit and vegetable producers have already received the designation. “This recognition represents the culmination of

Opinion: Jiminy crickets!

The disgusting (and nutritious) truth about bugs and food

Loblaw, the largest food distribution company in the country, is now selling cricket flour. The product itself is not new, as many specialty stores have been selling it for a few years now. But Loblaw is the first major retailer to sell the product under its own private label. For Loblaw, whose head office is