Food Bulletin - February 2012
Welcome to the February Food Bulletin where we link you up with
the latest news and events, funding information and training opportunities.This
month, you're being invited to have your say on a variety of important
subjects.Your input is valuable - and it helps to shape the future
of the food and beverage industry in Ontario.
Industry News
OMAFRA can help develop your food safety program
If you need guidance or the tools to help develop your food safety
program, OMAFRA is here to help. At low or no cost, you'll be able
to:
- discuss your specific food safety questions one-on-one with
a Food Safety Advisor, either by phone or in person
- get employee training materials, including a DVD on Personnel
Practices
- have access to posters (available in English/Spanish or French/Spanish)
showing proper hand-washing and product handling techniques
- get MS Word versions of customizable Good Manufacturing Practice
(GMP) policies, procedures, and records
- have access to example HACCP plans, and MS Word versions of
the HACCP plan forms.
Call 1-877-424-1300 or email advantage@ontario.ca
for help.
Nominations for 2012 Ontario Food Exporter Award due Feb. 29
If you know an exporter who has successfully expanded into new
export markets, and shown creativity and excellence throughout the
process, then consider making a nomination for OMAFRA's 2012 Ontario
Food Exporter Award. The deadline is Feb. 29, 2012. The nominee
must also meet the following eligibility criteria:
- be a client of OMAFRA's Ontario Food Export program (a client
is defined as someone who has had regular contact with Ontario
Food Export staff and has participated in an OFEX event within
18 months of the Feb. 29, 2012 deadline.)
- company's food products must be produced in Ontario
- must be a food processing and/or farming business (trading
houses and companies in the service and distribution sectors are
not eligible)
- operating for a minimum of two years
- exporting outside of Canada for a minimum of one year
- entered a new market/trade channel within the last two years
- earned foreign revenue in excess of 15 per cent of gross sales.
To request an application, or for more information, please call
519-826-4210 or email goexport.omafra@ontario.ca.
Eligible vacant Toronto properties to get tax rebates
The City of Toronto's Property
Tax Rebate Program will refund 30 per cent of the tax on eligible
vacant commercial properties and 35 per cent of the tax on eligible
vacant industrial properties located within the City of Toronto.
Eligibility is based on: a building being entirely vacant for 90
consecutive days; being partially vacant where the vacant portion
is unused for 90 consecutive days and is clearly separated or delineated
from the used portions of the building.
The application deadline for the 2011 taxation year is Feb. 29,
2012 and the deadline for the 2012 taxation year is Feb. 28, 2013.
If all eligibility requirements are met a rebate is processed and
a cheque issued to the property owner within four to six weeks.
HR Council interviews processors on best practices for co-op students
The Food Processing HR Council (FPHRC) is working on a project
to find the best ways for students to experience working in the
Canadian food and beverage industry while completing their education.
The goal is to determine what has and hasn't worked in the past,
in terms of co-ops and other programs, then bring together the successful
elements so potential employers can connect with students and educational
institutions across the country in the most effective way possible.
The first phase of the project is to determine what has worked in
the past and what hasn't. To this end, food and beverage processors
will be interviewed from May 24 to June 14, 2012. If you'd like
to participate in the study, contact FPHRC Project Manager Robert
Rivard at 613-237-7988, ext. 224 or visit the council's website
at www.urfutureinfood.ca
for more information. The FPHRC is a non-partisan organization that
delivers human resource information and training tools in support
of a safe and secure food supply and a viable and competitive food
processing sector.
SIAL Canada exhibit costs supported by AAFC
The Canadian Food Exporters Association (CFEA), in partnership
with OMAFRA, is inviting you to exhibit at the SIAL
Canada show at the Palais Des Congrès in Montreal from
May 9-11, 2012. SIAL Canada is the Salon International de l'Alimentation
(International Food Expo). The event is one of the industry's most
important meeting places for North American food industry professionals
and hosts approximately 700 exhibitors and 13,000 visitors from
over 60 countries over the course of three days. Buyers at SIAL
Canada are increasingly seeking out products to meet the demands
of their diverse and multi-ethnic clientele. Qualified buyers specializing
in distribution, retail and foodservice will be in attendance, so
the event represents an important opportunity to meet and impress
future customers. Advance
registration is required. Cost savings and partial reimbursement
for this event are also being offered through Agriculture and Agri-Food
Canada's AgriMarketing Program. For more information, call Susan
Powell at CFEA at 416-445-3747 or email susanp@cfea.com.
Regulatory News & Opportunities
to Comment
MOE streamlines system for environmental approvals
Business's whose activities impact the natural environment need
approval from the Ministry of the Environment (MOE) to operate legally
in Ontario. For food and beverage processors this means you need
approval if you release contaminants (pollutants) into the air,
land, or water, or if you store, transport, or dispose of waste.
Since October 2011, MOE has been working to streamline the approval
process, recognizing not all applications require the same level
of scrutiny since businesses have diverse operational complexities
and pose different environmental risks. In the past, a business
had to apply for multiple approvals for individual processes and
pieces of equipment. Now, a business either registers itself, or
applies for a single approval, depending on the types of activities
it conducts.
For example, businesses whose activities are considered routine
or with minimal impact to the environment can save time and register
their environment-impacting activities on a special registry instead
of applying for an approval. Companies not eligible to use the registry
still apply for an environmental approval, but a number of improvements
have also been introduced into this process, including: a single
electronic smart form that can be used for multiple activities at
a single site or facility; help filling out an application; and
online tracking of approvals.
For further details, check the MOE's environmental
approvals page or call the ministry's Environmental Approvals
Access and Service Integration Branch at 1-800-461-6290 (in Toronto
at 416-314-8001), or email eaabgen@ene.gov.on.ca.
Updates on Foods for Health and Allergens from AAFC
The Food Regulatory Issues Division (FRID) of Agriculture and Agri-Food
Canada provides the food and beverage sector with up-to-date information
on domestic regulatory issues that impact the industry. For example,
due to changes in regulations, updates to the factsheet Canada's
Regulatory System for Foods with Health Benefits - At a Glance
are being posted on the website while the fully revised fact sheet
is being prepared. These updates are important for companies wanting
to promote the health benefits of their products. Additional updates
recently posted relate to Health
Claims for Food and Food
Allergen Labelling. Health Canada has also authorized a therapeutic
health
claim for psyllium fibre and reduction of blood cholesterol.
And in its recent review of caffeinated energy drinks, Health Canada
reiterated that products in food format will be regulated as foods,
rather than natural health products. Their guidance document will
help you determine whether a product in food format is a natural
health product, plus it includes definitions for 'food format,'
'therapeutic use' and 'food purpose'. See the Classification
of Products at the Food-Natural Health Product Interface: Products
in Food Formats.
Enhanced labelling rules for allergens, gluten sources, added
sulphites
Health Canada published new regulations n the Canada Gazette, Part
II (CGII) on Feb. 16, 2011 that come into force on Aug. 04, 2012.
These regulations enhance the labelling rules for allergens, gluten
sources and added sulphites.
If you reviewed these regulations when they were first proposed,
there are some differences now that they are final. Click
here for a summary.
Health Canada continues to urge the food industry to be diligent
in responding to these impending changes by listing priority food
allergens, gluten sources and added sulphites on the labels of prepackaged
foods. See the 'guidance
to industry page' on the Health Canada website.
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) is responsible for the
administration and enforcement of the Food and Drugs Act and Regulations
as they relate to food. To assist in the implementation of the new
regulations, CFIA has developed questions
and answers about the labelling of food allergens and the use
of precautionary statements. For more information on packaging and
labelling requirements for prepackaged food call CFIA at 1-800-667-2657
or e-mail labelwindow@inspection.gc.ca.
For more information about allergen labelling, contact Health Canada's
Food
Directorate.
CFIA seeks feedback on strategy to modernize regulatory framework
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) recently launched a
systematic
review of its regulatory frameworks for food safety, plant health
and animal health. The hope is to open up discussion among CFIA,
Canadians and the industry it regulates. The end goal is to strengthen
the regulatory framework by reducing complexities and clarifying
obligations. As part of the process, CFIA is consulting with stakeholders
until Feb. 21, 2012. If you're interested in offering general feedback
on CFIA's plans for regulatory modernization you can speak with
your local
or regional CFIA office or contact
them by email. For more information, check out CFIA's Q&As.
The CFIA also recognizes the need to set priorities for reviewing
the 13 federal statutes and 38 sets of related regulations for which
it's responsible. CFIA has been talking with some industry sectors
about the need for modernization and as a result of these discussions
a Feed and Fertilizer regulatory review has already begun. Plans
are under way to develop short, medium and long term plans for regulatory
reviews and a listing of the proposed regulations can be found in
CFIA's
framework document.
The agency is inviting feedback on these proposed priorities. Again,
you can either contact your local
or regional CFIA office or submit your comments online.
Have your say on proposed new fees for destination inspections
Destination inspection is the examination of fresh fruits and vegetables
for quality. The results of these inspections help to settle commercial
disputes, primarily between buyers and sellers. The Canadian Food
Inspection Agency (CFIA) is currently reviewing its service standards
and user fees in an effort to align fees with the actual cost of
delivering the service. The new fees and service standards would
be introduced April 1, 2012. For details, see the CFIA
consultation document. You can email
your comments on these plans until Feb. 16, 2012.
Funding & Related
Opportunities
SMART Prosperity Now funding targets productivity of export-focused
manufacturers
Canadian Manufacturers & Exporters (CME) is receiving up to
$18.9 million through the Prosperity Initiative. This funding will
assist CME in the launch of a new program called SMART Prosperity
Now. Program ends March 31, 2014.
This program will allow manufacturers with an export focus to commercialize
new technologies, enter new domestic and foreign markets, invest
in sustainable and green technology, purchase new or upgraded equipment
and technology, and implement efficiency improvements.
There are two components to the program. Eligible activities under
the assessment component will be funded at 50 per cent of eligible
costs to a maximum contribution of $5,000. Activities under the
project funding component will be eligible for funding of 33.3 per
cent of eligible costs to a maximum contribution of $75,000. For
more information on SMART Prosperity Now and the Prosperity Initiative,
please see the backgrounder.
Or, plan to attend a workshop in your area to learn more:
February 13, 2012 Mississauga
February 15, 2012 Kingston
February 16, 2012 Ottawa
February 17, 2012 Peterborough
February 21, 2012 Kitchener
Achieving Innovation and Manufacturing Excellence Global program
The Yves Landry Foundation, in partnership with the federal government,
is expanding its Achieving
Innovation and Manufacturing Excellence (AIME) Global program
to meet the needs of exporting and export-ready manufacturers in
southern Ontario. The program is designed to upgrade the skills
of people working for small and medium-sized manufacturing companies,
and help manufacturers find creative and innovative solutions to
improve their productivity and diversify their products. Companies
can receive 50% of eligible costs, to a maximum of $50,000, for
targeted training.
Applications for summer jobs funding due by Feb. 29, 2012
Canada Summer Jobs is a federal government program that provides
funding to create summer jobs for young people, aged 15 to 30, who
are full-time students returning to their studies in the next school
year. The funding program is available to not-for-profit, public
sector and small businesses with 50 or fewer employees. Applications
are being accepted from Feb. 1 to Feb. 29, 2012. Private-sector
employers are eligible for up to 50 per cent of the adult minimum
hourly wage. Frequently
Asked Questions can be found on Service Canada's website.
Your chance to comment on proposed, permanent development funds
In November 2011, Minister of Economic Development and Innovation
Brad Duguid introduced the Attracting Investment and Creating Jobs
Act, 2011. If passed, it will establish the Southwestern Ontario
Development Fund (SWODF) and make the Eastern Ontario Development
Fund permanent. The purpose of the funds would be to strengthen
communities by attracting and retaining employment and investment
in Southwestern and Eastern Ontario and to promote innovation and
cluster development and collaboration in the regions. The provincial
government is now asking for input and advice from key regional
stakeholders on the scope and purpose of the proposed Southwestern
Ontario Development Fund. These consultations are an important part
of understanding the key challenges and opportunities in the region
and the information gathered will be central to the fund's design,
administration, eligibility and application process. If you'd like
to contribute your ideas, please read more about the proposed
fund and then submit your written comments to swodf@ontario.ca.
Events
Import/Export Association's Food Forum to tackle key industry
issues
The Canadian Association of Importers and Exporters is holding
its 7th Annual
Food Forum this month, bringing together a panel of Canadian
and U.S. regulators and food safety experts to cover the issues
most relevant to Canadian food manufacturers, exporters and importers.
Topics include recent Health Canada initiatives, the continuing
implementation of the Canadian Food Inspection Agency's (CFIA) Food
Safety Importer Licensing initiative, changes in the U.S. Food Safety
Modernization Act and CFIA's soon-to-be implemented Inspection Modernization
initiative. The event is an opportunity to meet policy makers and
industry leaders, learn about the latest compliance requirements
and network with industry colleagues. To
register, click here.
When: Thursday, Feb. 16, 2012
Where: Marriott Toronto Airport Hotel
GFTC Canadian Food Safety Symposium set for February 23
The agenda for Safe Food Canada 2012 includes a full day of discussing
key food safety information that's relevant for food and beverage
manufacturers. Topics covered will include Broadening Crisis Management:
Thinking Beyond Recalls, Insulating Your Food Safety Program from
Market Turndown, and How to Assess and Manage Supply Chain Risk.
Organized by The Guelph Food Technology Centre, the event also includes
an opportunity to network with other industry professionals by offering
company display space. For the full symposium agenda click
here. For more information, please contact Denise Horseman at
(519) 821-1246 ext. 5068 or email dhorseman@gftc.ca.
When: Thursday, Feb. 23, 2012 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Where: Pearson Convention Centre, Brampton
Alliance offers free Human Resources Roundtable & Career Fair
The Alliance of Ontario Food Processors (AOFP) is hosting a free
event geared to meeting and networking with HR professionals, managers
and supervisors. Discussion at the Human Resources Roundtable &
Career Fair will focus on industry trends, best practices, training
opportunities at Conestoga College's Institute of Food Processing
Technology and how AOFP's resources can help improve your business.
The sessions will be led by Jeff Fila, an experienced human resources
professional and facilitator. In the afternoon, you'll have a chance
to meet Conestoga College students to discuss your company and future
job opportunities. For more information or to register, contact
mfeldskov@aofp.ca.
When: March 1, 2012 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Where: Conestoga College, Cambridge Campus
CRFA Tradeshow coming to Toronto March 4 - 6, 2012
The Canadian Restaurant and Foodservice Association (CRFA) Tradeshow
is the leading foodservice and hospitality event in Canada. The
CRFA Show
is a comprehensive forum of industry products and attracts 12,000
industry professionals and puts them face to face with exhibitors
showcasing all their latest products.
In partnership with Grow Guelph,
Foodland Ontario will be participating in this year's tradeshow
on March 4, 2012. Located on the CRFA cooking stage from 4:00 pm
to 5:00pm, Foodland Ontario will be working with Chef Anna Olsen
to showcase the benefits of sourcing locally and cooking with Ontario
foods in the restaurant and foodservice sectors. OMAFRA's Business
Development Branch will be staffing a booth at the show and we hope
you'll drop by and see us at booth #1943.
When: March 4 - 6, 2012
Where: Direct Energy Centre, Exhibition Place, Toronto
Cost: Register
online
GFTC Innovation Breakfast - Foods for an aging population: an
opportunity
The Guelph Food Technology Centre is planning its second 2012 Innovation
Breakfast, and the topic is The Challenge and Opportunity of Meeting
the Nutritional Needs of the Older Adult Population. An aging population
often needs nutrient-dense diets to maintain health and quality
of life, so Dr. Heather Keller, Research Chair at the Schlegel-UW
Research Institute for Aging, will explain the realities of the
aging Canadian population and identify potential opportunities for
the food industry. The event is targeting product developers and
food marketers. Click
here to see the full agenda. For more information please contact
Denise Horseman at 519-821-1246 ext. 5068 or email dhorseman@gftc.ca.
When: Thursday March 22, 2012
Where: Pearson Convention Centre, Brampton
PROFIT New-to-Exporting Seminar
PROFIT, a two-day seminar, organized by OMAFRA is a long-running
and highly successful export-focused program which will give you
a solid introduction to what's involved in exporting food and beverage
products to the U.S. The seminar, featuring over 15 speakers, is
a hands-on orientation covering the basic requirements for food
and beverage exporters. Topics include export financing, product
labelling, U.S. tax laws, U.S. food brokerage, U.S. food distribution,
U.S. Food and Drug regulations, U.S. Customs and Border Protection,
and U.S. customs brokerage. Export development services, provided
by Ontario Food Exports will also be presented. Half a day will
be spent in Toronto, then participants will travel by motorcoach
to Buffalo for the next day-and-a-half. The cost includes the PROFIT
GuideBook (containing all presentation materials), round-trip transportation
to Buffalo, accommodation in Buffalo and all meals. Please note
this seminar is offered only once a year and is restricted to 25
participants. For more information, or to register, call Jennifer
Hannam at 519-826-3747 or email jennifer.hannam@ontario.ca.
When: June 5-6
Where: Toronto and Buffalo
Cost: $350 + HST
Low-cost Good Manufacturing Practices Workshops at OMAFRA
OMAFRA is presenting Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) workshops
to help processors develop reliable food safety practices for their
facility. The workshops use real-life examples that make the practices
easy to understand and apply.
Sanitation
and Pest Control
Learn the importance of:
- an effective sanitation program
- the seven sanitation steps to minimize food safety hazards
and how to apply them in your facility
- the significance and incorporation of a pre-operational inspection
- strategies for pest identification and prevention activities.
When: Feb. 15, 2012, 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Where: Mississauga
Cost: $45 + HST
Preventative
Maintenance & Calibration, Environment
Learn how to apply preventative maintenance and calibration practices
to the equipment and devices in your facility that can impact food
safety. You'll also learn how to implement practical control measures
that address interior and exterior areas of concern at your facility.
When: March 19, 2012
Where: Guelph
Cost: $45 + HST
To register, call 1-877-424-1300 or email advantage@ontario.ca.
Visit OMAFRA's website for additional food
safety information and tools.
Conestoga College adds new Food Processing Supervisor Program
Conestoga College's Institute of Food Processing Technology is
adding a Food Processing
Supervisor Program. The part-time program is designed to teach
the knowledge and skills essential for a supervisor in a food processing
environment. Students will be exposed to exercises, case studies
and the practical application of supervisory skills. The first course
begins Feb. 11, 2012 and the second in May 2012. For more information,
email Susan McLachlan.
Toronto Cost Reduction and Green/Sustainability Sessions
Partners in Project Green is a growing community of businesses
working together to green their bottom line by creating an internationally-recognized
'eco-business zone' around Toronto Pearson. The Partners in Project
Green offers training
sessions showing businesses how to reduce energy and resource
costs, uncover new business opportunities, and address everyday
operational challenges in a green and cost-effective manner.
Sustainability 'must haves' eligible for early bird discounts
Sign up for these Partners in Project Green Sustainability Sessions
before the end of February and get 10 per cent off:
- Are you in compliance? This program will provide a custom environmental
regulatory scan to ensure you're kept up-to-date and understand
the laws and regulations that apply to your business.
- Are you tracking the information you need to report? Food and
beverage processors are sharing sustainability indicators with
customers and this program will help you identify the appropriate
indicators for your business and help you organize, track and
validate your data on a sustainability scorecard.
- Have you completed a waste audit? Waste is a hot topic for food
and beverage processors and annual waste audits are a regulatory
requirement for large food and beverage manufacturers in Ontario.
This program will help you complete your annual waste audit, develop
a waste reduction work plan, plus find ways to turn waste into
profit.
For more information, contact Maria Klimas, manager, Sustainability
Consulting at 519-821-1246 or email mklimas@gftc.ca.
Guelph Food Technology Centre (GFTC)
The GFTC is an independent organization
specializing in food and beverage safety, training, quality and
technical solutions. The centre offers a wide range of industry-recognized
courses and training
programs throughout the year.
Excellence in Manufacturing Consortium (EMC)
EMC is Canada's largest
manufacturing consortium. The not-for-profit organization organizes
in excess of 1,000 hands-on industry events, including training
and networking opportunities.
