Al Mussell joins C.D. Howe Institute

 

The C.D. Howe Institute has chosen Dr. Al Mussell to be its Fellow-in-Residence and Supply Chains Policy Scholar.

Mussell is an agriculture economist who has published many research reports on Canadian Agriculture, trade and policy.

He is currently senior researcher for the Canadian Agri-food Policy Institute. He often co-authores reports with Ted Bilyea and Doug Hedley.

Mussell said “it is a distinct honour, and really quite humbling, to join a remarkable group of people as a Fellow-in-Residence at the C.D. Howe Institute. 

"I’m very pleased that the C.D. Howe Institute is taking a focused interest in agriculture, food and all that Canada has to offer, and to be given an opportunity to contribute my insights to its work in this critical area.’

Mussell has also been president of the Canadian Agricultural Economics Society, chair of the Ontario Pork Industry Council, and has served on the board of the Progressive Dairy Operators.”

He founded the George Morrris Center at the University of Guelph and Agri-Food Economic Systems.

He will continue to work with Agri-Food Economic Systems.

Study raises mycotoxin concerns

 Mycotoxins have shown up in almost all plant-based proteins and beverages tested in the United Kingdom and Italy, but it’s unlikely to be a health threat to most people.

The researchers studied 212 plant-based products such as burgers, vegan sausages, chicken mimics and milks made of oats, almonds or soybeans.

All of them contained at least one of 19 mycotoxins, with multiple products containing more than one.

The study says that previous research has demonstrated that even at low levels, if consumed often, mycotoxin can build up exposure and lead to potential health concerns, but occasional consumption should not pose a danger. 

In extreme cases mycotoxin exposure can lead to liver and kidney damage, immune system suppression, and cancer, the report said.

The researchers advise that monitoring of raw materials be extended.

“Mycotoxins occur naturally in foods and cannot be completely avoided. As consumers, we should not be frightened or deterred from enjoying a variety of products,” said Andrea Patriarca, senior lecturer in mycology at Cranfield University.

“However, a significant concern arises when new foods enter the market, as there are currently no established regulations to monitor mycotoxins.” she said.

The study found that mycotoxin levels United Kingdom plant-based foods that were tested were lower than recommended European Union guideline levels, which it said reflected the high-quality standards of the UK food industry.

The study was a joint effort by the University of Parma in Italy and Cranfield University in the United Kingdom.

Brocili seeds on recall

 

Germina brand "Brocoli Calabrese" seeds are on recall due to possible contamination with pathogenic E. coli, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency has posted.

The recall was initiated in Italy. It has been offered for online sale in Ontario and Quebec.

Ontario accused of unfair bee trade

Melita Bees has accused Ontario, Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island of using unfair trade rules to block sakes if $4 million worth of bees from Europe.

It said its bees meet Canadian Food Inspection Agency standards and an international trade agreement, but Ontario imposed extra rules that forced it to cancel orders that were in progress. The bees would have died in quarantine had they been shipped, it said in a complaint filed with Global Affairs in Ottawa.

Melita said Ontario wanted bees to be held for 14 days in indoor quarantine conditions that the bees could not survive.

That was never requested by the CFIA during the federal inspection process, Melita said.

Agropur announces investments

Agropur announced it will spend close to $1 billion to modernize its milk-processing plants in Quebec and Nova Scotia.

It is the largest farmer-owned dairy business in Canada.

The company said the investment will be directed toward upgrading existing facilities, incorporating advanced technologies, and optimizing production capabilities. 

By enhancing plant performance and automation, Agropur aims to increase productivity while maintaining high standards of product quality—key priorities for dairy manufacturers navigating evolving consumer demand and cost pressures, it said.

Langs donate $51 million to UG

 

 

Stu and Kim Lang have donated another $51 million to the University of Guelph, bringing their donations total to $100 million.

Kim Lang owns horses and some previous donations went to Ontario Veterinary College.

They own CCL Industries which is a $14-billion packaging and label maker.

This donation goes to the Gordon S. Lang School of Business at the University of Guelph. Neither Stu nor Kim graduated from University of Guelph, but atter Stu and Kim Lang never went to the University of Guelph.  

In 2019, the couple’s foundation donated $21-million to the school, which was renamed for Mr. Lang’s father, who founded Toronto-based CCL in 1951. The Lang family’s stake in CCL is worth approximately $2.1-billion. 

The Langs are both Queen’s University graduates.

Stu Lang played professional football for the Edmonton Eskimos, helping to win five Grey Cups, and became coach of Guelph Gryphons and led them to win the Yates Cup.

“We see business skills as essential to everything we do as a society, so our gift will have infinite impact,” said Stu Lang, who earned an engineering degree. “Our donation is meant to support Guelph’s vision of business as a force of good.” 

The Lang family’s stake in CCL is worth approximately $2.1-billion. 

The donation will launch a program called Lang GoodWorks that incorporates values-based decision-making in business. The couple’s gift will also help fund a new three-storey building with more than 60 breakout rooms and a lecture hall that seats 500 students, at a business school that started out with classrooms in a former student residence. 

“The Langs’ gift will help us create a collaborative learning experience, with graduates who are competitive but not cutthroat,” said Dr. Sara Mann, dean of business at the University of Guelph. 

The business school will also use the Langs’ gift to fund research and the extension of programs that combine business courses with the curriculums at Guelph’s veterinary and agriculture schools. 

Loblaws sales and profits rise

Loblaws first-quarter profit came in at $594 million, up from $503 million last year.

First-quarter revenue grew by 4.2 per cent to $14.7-billion.

Sales from new discount stores – No Frills and Super C – accounted for almost half of the total sales increase.

Sales from existing stores increased by 2.4 per cent which is about half of the increases due to food inflation.

Loblaws in Canada’s largest supermarket business.