Food Bulletin - January 2012
Happy New Year! Here we are in 2012. It promises to be a year of
opportunities, insights and exciting events. The Canadian Food Summit
next month, for example, will bring together national and international
experts who'll be sizing up the country's food challenges and opportunities.
In this first Food Bulletin of the New Year, we're also letting
you know about a call for proposals aimed at helping the agriculture
and agri-food sectors respond to emerging challenges yet remain
competitive, plus we highlight Health Canada's announcement on allowable
wording for the labelling and advertising of products containing
psyllium fibre. Our 2012 resolution is to continue bringing you
the knowledge, connections and resources that will help inform,
inspire and build your business.
Transportation survey aims to supply useful feedback
The Canadian Industrial Transportation Association (CITA) is asking
businesses involved in transporting goods to take part in a survey
which they hope will lead to improvements in freight management
practices and identify shipping opportunities. Taking the 39-question
Shippers'
Pulse Survey also entitles participants to receive a full copy
of the ensuing survey report. The survey asks such things as how
your on-time delivery stacks up, whether your billing error rate
is in line, how environmental concerns factor in, and whether you're
making the most of available value-added services. (All responses
are treated with confidentiality.) CITA is a national industry association
that focuses on freight transportation issues and their survey is
being undertaken with support from National Resources Canada.
Health Canada releases wording of psyllium fibre-cholesterol
claims
In light of a review of scientific evidence supporting the link
between psyllium fibre and its cholesterol lowering properties,
Health Canada is now allowing certain statements to be made in the
labelling and advertising of food products that meet qualifying
criteria. These statements are intended for members of the general
public who want to maintain or lower their cholesterol levels. Manufacturers
will be able to use Health Canada's approved wording to inform consumers
about the benefits of products with psyllium fibre.
For more information, including the necessary criteria for food
products making the psyllium claim, click
here.
CAAP calls for sustainability proposals
The not-for-profit Agricultural Adaptation Council (AAC) recently
issued a call for proposals to encourage projects that address agricultural
sustainability in Ontario. Funded projects have to address the Canadian
Agricultural Adaptation Program's (CAAP's) objective of facilitating
the agriculture, agri-food and agri-based product sector's ability
to seize opportunities, respond to new and emerging issues, and
pilot solutions which help the sector adapt and remain competitive.
Successful proposals must address one of the three pillars of sustainability:
economic, environmental and social. Funding comes from Agriculture
and Agri-Food Canada in the form of either a non-repayable or repayable
contribution, to a maximum of 85 per cent of total project costs.
Funding levels of $100,000 to $250,000 are encouraged but higher
levels of funding may be provided when projects involve partnerships
of two or more organizations and result in significant benefits
to the agriculture and agri-food industry. CAAP is a five-year (2009-2014),
$163-million program. The deadline for proposals is Thursday, March
15, 2012 at 4 p.m. For more information, please click
here.
Download
call for proposal - PDF
Download
Application - Word document
Food processor events to assess, tackle industry challenges
The Alliance of Ontario Food Processors (AOFP), the non-profit
organization of food and beverage processing companies, is taking
to the road. It's hosting two events in January designed to provide
processors with the latest information, education, resources and
business tools to excel in a changing world. The day-long events
are targeting everyone from CEOs and human resources, to management
and operations and will provide an opportunity to meet fellow industry
members. The events are arranged in a modular fashion, which means
people can come for the full day or attend specific segments. For
more information check the AOFP
website or contact Julie Stalford at 519-650-3741 or email jstalford@aofp.ca.
When: Tuesday, Jan. 10, 2012 (8:30 a.m. - 3:30)
Where: Brockville
When: Tuesday, Jan. 17, 2012 (8:30 a.m. - 3:30)
Where: Leamington
Canadian Food Summit 2012 set for February
The Conference Board of Canada's Centre for Food in Canada is hosting
a major international summit on the future of food. The Canadian
Food Summit 2012 will feature national and international experts
who'll discuss the latest research and determine how to address
Canada's major food challenges and opportunities. Topics include
safe and healthy food, food security, and food sustainability. The
summit is expected to attract key players from business and government,
as well as a broad range of producers, processors, retailers, regulators,
associations, unions, consumers, advocates and independent experts.
The summit will be hosted by Galen Weston, Executive Chairman of
Loblaw Companies, and Anne Golden, President and CEO of The Conference
Board of Canada. The Conference
Board of Canada website includes a complete list of speakers,
event rates, and a registration page.
When: Tuesday, Feb. 7 and Wednesday Feb. 8, 2012
Where: Metro Toronto Convention Centre
Sustainability Summit focuses on building - and maintaining
- success
A one-day summit in February organized by Partners
in Project Green will focus on strategies that help build successful,
sustainable organizations that are competitive, productive and profitable.
The event will outline successful strategies and thinking processes
needed to attain a sustainable organization - plus identify things
that don't work. The event will look at the necessary economic,
social and environmental elements needed to achieve sustainability
- for any sized business. Four keynote speakers, plus leaders of
sustainable organizations will talk about the inherent issues and
showcase real business cases that justify the investment in sustainability.
They'll also discuss which roadmaps work and why, and identify available
supports and resources. For more information on rates, the event
schedule, or to register, please click
here.
When: Wednesday, Feb. 15, 2012
Where: Hilton Garden Inn, Toronto Airport
Food Forum to tackle key industry issues
The Canadian Association of Importers and Exporters is holding
its 7th Annual
Food Forum in February, 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
Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs
(OMAFRA)
Interactive Good Manufacturing Practices Workshops for
Food Processors
OMAFRA is presenting Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) workshops
to assist processors in developing food safety practices for their
facility. The workshops use real-life practical examples that make
it easy to understand and apply.
Sanitation
and Pest Control
Learn the importance of:
- an effective sanitation program
- the 7 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.
Cost: $45 + HST.
February 8, 2012, 9am - 4pm - Guelph, ON
February 15, 2012, 9am - 4pm - Mississauga, ON
Preventative
Maintenance & Calibration, Environment
Learn how to apply preventative maintenance and calibration practices
to the equipment and devices in your facility that may impact food
safety and how to implement practical control measures to address
interior and exterior areas of concern in your facility. Cost: $45
+ HST.
March 19, 2012 - Guelph, ON
One on One Sessions
Processors can book a one-on-one session in Guelph with an OMAFRA
food safety advisor to review Good Manufacturing Practices, HACCP,
and food defence plans specific to their facility, obtain tools
to train their employees or prepare for an audit.
To register, call 1-877-424-1300 or email advantage@ontario.ca.
Visit additional food
safety information and tools.
Reinforce Employee Food Safety Practices with GMP Posters
OMAFRA has developed Good
Manufacturing Practices posters for Ontario food processors
to help reduce the risk of food contamination. These highly illustrated,
durable and water resistant posters provide instant, clear reminders
to all employees and visitors on best food safety practices. Posters
are available in English/Spanish or French/Spanish versions.
Choose from a range of food safety topics including:
- Hand Washing
- Wash Hands Often
- When Handling Food
- Store Food Product Properly
- Inspect Vehicles before Loading & Shipping
To order your FREE posters, call 1-877-424-1300 or email advantage@ontario.ca.
Other OMAFRA training resources available:
GMP
Personnel Practices DVD
GMP
Training Kit
Workshops
and One on One Sessions
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.
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.
Partners in Project 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. Partners
in Project Green offers training sessions on how businesses
can reduce energy and resource costs, uncover new business opportunities,
and address everyday operational challenges in a green and cost-effective
manner.
