Food inflation declines

 

 

For the first time in more than two years, food prices rose by less than the overall inflation rate.

In September Statistics Canada found food prices were up by 2.8 per cent from a year ago while overall inflation was up by three per cent.

 

Olymel recalls chicken breast strips

Olymel is recalling chicken breast sticks because its own testing detected Listeria monocytogenes food-poisoning bacteria. 

 Most of the product was sold in Quebec. No illnesses have been reported.

CFIA suspends a licence

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency has suspended the licence of Ramelli Truffles Ltd. of Toronto for failure to meet regulatory requirements. The company was faulted for hazard identification, labelling requirements, traceability and recall preparedness

Empire profits still rising

As consumers complain about rising grocery prices, Canada’s big supermarket chains continue to pile up greater profits.Empire said its net income for the most recent quarter was $233 million, up from $214 million for the same quarter last year. Revenues were $8.48 billion, up from $8.26 billion. Revenues for food sales were up by one per cent, which is much less than food price inflation. Empire owns a number of retail chain stores including Sobey’s. Freshco and Farm Boy.

Peanuts with salmonella on recall

 

PK brand Roasted Lemon ‘N Chilli Peanuts are under recall because testing detected salmonella food-poisoning bacteria.

They were distributed in Ontario.

                           

 

Sam Oosterhoff is agr minister

Sam Oosterhoff, the youngest person (19) elected to the Ontario legislature in 2023, is the new agriculture minister He is a farmer’s son from the Niagara Region and has been an assistant to the ministers of energy intensive industries. After the 2016 election the Hamilton Spectator wrote that he is a social conservative opposed to abortion and same-sex marriage and was home-schooled in a religious family. He is of Dutch heritage. Before defeating Richard Dykstra for his first nomination, he worked in politics in Ottawa. He takes over agriculture from Trevor Jones who was moved to Minister of Immigration and Skills Development.

Ontario ponders ban on horse slaughter

 

 

Ontario is proposing a ban on horse slaughter and horse meat processing at provincially-inspected meat plants.

It said its ban does not extend to federally-inspected plants but none of them are currently licenced to slaughter horses.

The Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Agribusiness is proposing the ban due to public concerns about animal welfare.

Horse slaughter and exports to Japan have been under increased animal welfare activists’ attacks for the last several years.

There are federally-licenced horse slaughter plants in Alberta and Quebec. There is a steady export demand for Canadian horse meat.

The horse industry regards horse slaughter as a safe, convenient and economical way to dispose of culled horses.

The government said “we encourage you to review and consider this posting. Comments and feedback can be submitted to OMAFA using the Regulatory Registry, or via email to william.martin@ontario.ca.