Monosodium Glutamate (MSG) Oct 24, 2009
Why Some People Should Avoid This Food Product. MSG is called a "flavor enhancer." But it can also give you headaches, nausea, and other neurological ill effects if you're sensitive to this food additive. (Suite101.com)
Stay home when sick to keep people and animals healthy (43) Oct 10, 2009
On May 2, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency reported the virus had been found in a swineherd in Alberta. The USDA reported the herd was likely exposed to an infected person. (Minnesota Farm Guide, MN)
Food News: Tattooed Produce, Amsterdam's Foodie Scene, Michelin Tweets, and More Sep 22, 2009
Canadians (and we just learned) may have to avoid for a while, according to the Canadian Food Inspection Agency. Yup, it's another salmonella scare. (Epicurious.com)
Novel system in Maine keeps lookout for invasive Emerald ash borer beetle Sep 1, 2009
It s really amazing, said Philip Careless, an entomologist with the Canadian Food Inspection Agency, whose research on using the wasp for biosurveillance gave Teerling the idea for the Maine project. It s like a sci-fi movie on a baseball diamond. (Boston Globe)
Maple Leaf Initiates Precautionary Recall of Nine Wiener Products Aug 4, 2009
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency is overseeing the completion of the recall. Consumers who have purchased these products are asked to contact our Consumer Response Line at 1-800-568-5801 to arrange to have the products replaced, or return them to the store where they were purchased for a full refund or product replacement. (Canada Newswire)
Monsanto, Dowstack up the genes Jul 31, 2009
Five years after GE crops and foods were widely available in Canada, the 2001 report from the panel slammed government regulators at Health Canada and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) who allowed GE crops to be grown. Little has changed since then and the CFIA has failed to explain its decision not to require environmental risk assessments for SmartStax, said Sharratt. (Asia Times Online)
No Safety Assessment of GE Corn by Health Canada - Canada Ignores International Food Safety Guidelines Jul 29, 2009
SmartStax,' a multi-herbicide tolerant and multi-insecticide-producing corn developed by Monsanto and Dow AgroSciences, has been authorized by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency but not by Health Canada. "Health Canada did not conduct or require any testing for this new eight-trait GE corn and did not even officially authorize it for release into the food system," said Lucy Sharratt, CBAN's Coordinator. (Canada Newswire)
Sunflower oil exports to Canada up Jul 28, 2009
The association says Canadian food processors are importing U.S. sunflower oil for prepared foods and snack products. It says 55,963 metric tons of oil were shipped to Canada from October last year through May this year. (Wahpeton Daily News, ND)
Monsanto Co. Jul 22, 2009
A new pest- and weed-resistant corn seed got Environmental Protection Agency registration and regulatory authorization from the Canadian Food Inspection Agency. SmartStax is on track for a commercial launch next year, said Monsanto and its partner. (Boston Globe)
* COMMUNITY COMPASS: Canada Day highlights close ties Jul 7, 2009
Other activities included a Canada-Taiwan Environmental Film Festival, a month-long Canadian food promotion organized by Hotel One, several seminars on studying or immigration to Canada, and a night of drinks and fun at a local pub featuring Canadian beers. This was the 12th time that CTOT had held Canada Day in Taiwan. (Taipei Times, Taiwan -- Business)
Interview with Emily Richards Jun 24, 2009
Home Economist and Canadian food celebrity Emily Richards knows that when your pocket book is tight, cooking at home makes perfect sense. In this interview, she tells us how to make time to gather around the table for a family meal and why it s important. (Suite101.com)
'Eco-Atkins' Diet Sheds More Than Pounds Jun 16, 2009
This study was supported by the Canadian government, Canadian food distributor Loblaw Cos. Ltd. and the Solae Company of St. Louis, Mo. (MEDLINEplus)
War Against Trans Fats in Canadian ... May 23, 2009
In North America, Health Canada has adopted the recommendations of the Trans Fat Task Force in relation to the amount of trans fat in Canadian foods ... The Trans Fat Monitoring Program will work to bring about industry compliance so that the Canadian food supply meets recommended trans fats limits ... Cutting undesirable levels of trans fats in Canadian food products will help to reduce known risk factors and curb heart disease. (Suite101.com)
World flu figures soar May 17, 2009
And scientists at the Canadian Food Inspection Agency said on Saturday they had "mapped the full genetic sequence of the virus" found in swine there. The same as the strain found in humans, it would "help scientists around the world better understand the virus and its effects on animals," they said. (iAfrica.com)
* World News Quick Take May 17, 2009
No part of the animals carcass entered the human food or animal feed systems, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) said in a statement. The animals birth farm has been identified and an investigation is underway, the CFIA said, adding that the age and location of the infected cow are consistent with previous cases detected in Canada. (Taipei Times, Taiwan -- Sports)
Study confirms H1N1 flu virus found in swine same as in humans May 17, 2009
Scientists at the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA)'s National Center for Foreign Animal Disease (NCFAD) have mapped the full genetic sequence of the virus found in swine from Alberta and confirmed that the virus on the infected swine is the same as on humans, the CFIA said in a press release on its website late Friday. A portion of a total of 2,300 swine on the farm were found to be infected with the new virus in early May. (Xinhuanet, China)
Pork industry scrambles to prove meat is safe May 8, 2009
Paul Hodgman, executive director of the Alberta Pork Producers, said the farmer who owns the infected pigs is "absolutely devastated," and it's up to the Canadian Food Inspection Agency to decide on next steps. Legislation prevents sick pigs from making it to slaughter and into the human food chain, he said. (Globe and Mail -- National)
Canadian, Mexican flu strains match May 7, 2009
The vice-president of the Canadian Food Inspection Agency spoke at the same press conference, reassuring Canadians that pork and pork products are safe for consumption. Related Articles. (Globe and Mail)
USDA receives word of possible H1N1 case in hogs (80) May 6, 2009
The USDA reported that word was received from the Canadian Food Inspection Agency regarding H1N1 found in pigs. On May 2, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency said that pigs from a herd in Alberta, Canada, tested positive for the H1N1 strain currently causing illness in humans. (Great Falls Prairie Star, MT)
Canadian pig herd infected with swine flu May 4, 2009
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency stressed the incident posed no threat to the food supply. Reuters Limited. (FT.com -- Markets)
Mexico Swine Flu Death Toll Rises To 19 May 4, 2009
About 220 pigs in the herd of 2,200 began showing signs of the flu on April 24, said the country's top veterinary officer, Dr. Brian Evans of the Canadian Food Inspection Agency. All of the pigs are recovering or have recovered and the farm worker has also recovered. (CBS News)
Flu hysteria is real danger, some say May 4, 2009
"We have determined that the virus H1N1, found in these pigs, is the virus which is being tracked in the human population," said Brian Evans of the Canadian Food Inspection Agency. But Evans and other officials said it is not uncommon for flu viruses to jump from humans to animals, and that it does not pose a risk for consuming pork. (SportsIllustrated.CNN -- NFL)
* China action on swine flu sparks row with Mexico May 4, 2009
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency said the herd had been quarantined and the safety of the food supply was not affected. Few are ready to take chances with the new virus, widely dubbed swine flu. (Taipei Times, Taiwan)
Human-to-pig transmission raises mutation risk May 4, 2009
Brian Evans, chief veterinary officer at the Canadian Food Inspection Agency, said an investigation showed that a farm worker returned from Mexico on April 12 and had contact with pigs on the farm two days later. On April 24, pigs began showing signs of influenza; about 220 of the 2,200 pigs on the farm were found to be infected with H1N1. (Globe and Mail -- National)
Smithfield Foods Reaffirms No Incidence of A(H1N1) In Any of Its Herds or Employees May 4, 2009
The company issued this statement following the announcement by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) that officials have tentatively confirmed that swine from a herd in Alberta, Canada, have tested positive for H1N1. Further tests are underway to determine whether the virus in these animals is the A(H1N1) virus which is currently causing illness in humans. (PR Newswire)
Canada reports 1st human-to-animal infection May 3, 2009
More than 200 pigs on a farm in the western province of Alberta have been infected with the new flu, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency said Saturday at a press conference in Ottawa. Federal officials believe the animals contracted the virus from a Canadian worker who returned from Mexico on April 12 and arrived on the farm two days later, showing flu symptoms shortly thereafter, said Brian Evans, Canada's chief veterinary officer, at the news conference. (Xinhuanet, China)
Canada confirms pigs infected with H1N1 flu virus May 3, 2009
Some pigs in a farm in the western province of Alberta has been found infected with the H1N1 flu virus and the virus may have jumped from a farm worker to the animals, Brian Evans, with the Canadian Food Inspection Agency, told a press conference in Ottawa. The Canadian worker returned from Mexico on April 12, and began work at an Alberta swine farm on April 14, he said. (Xinhuanet, China)
1918 Flu Resulted In Current Lineage Of H1N1 Swine Influenza Viruses May 2, 2009
Juergen A. Richt, Regents Distinguished Professor of Diagnostic Medicine and Pathobiology at K-State's College of Veterinary Medicine, studied the 1918 Spanish flu pandemic with colleagues from the Canadian Food Inspection Agency, U.S. Department of Agriculture and Mount Sinai School of Medicine. Their research supports the hypothesis that the 1918 pandemic influenza virus and the virus causing the swine flu were the same. (Science Daily)
U.S. Shorts Critical Farm Animal Research, Scientists Say May 1, 2009
30, 2009) Dwindling federal funding jeopardizes important animal and biomedical research, together with the institutional research programs that focus on them, a group of Michigan State University scientists warn. The alarm was sounded in the journal Science by MSU researchers James Ireland, George Smith, Jose Cibelli and five colleagues from other institutions. (Science Daily)
Food safety body hampered listeriosis probe, report says Apr 18, 2009
But the Canadian Food Inspection Agency did not tell health officials until Aug. 14 that meats contaminated with the listeria bacteria might also have been distributed to grocery stores and deli counters, Dr. David Williams, Ontario's Chief Medical Officer of Health, said in his report released Friday. If I had known that these products had gone out to the general public, I would have recommended a wider recall sooner, he told reporters. (Globe and Mail)
More stringent testing welcomed Apr 14, 2009
Mr. McCain is a central player in a regulatory reform process that is moving on three fronts: a more rigorous listeria testing policy launched this month by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency; a federal investigation into the crisis headed by former Alberta health executive Sheila Weatherill; and the hearings by a parliamentary subcommittee on food safety. Mr. McCain said no matter what is achieved, there are no absolute guarantees. (Globe and Mail)
Canadians warned off pistachio brands Apr 4, 2009
Earlier this week, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency added more items to the long list of peanut products that have already been recalled ... One Canadian food-safety expert said that testing food once it's ready to be shipped to retailers is inefficient and won't ensure food safety. (Globe and Mail)
Charcuterie: Will it stay or will it go? Apr 2, 2009
" For the consumer, the restrictions make it harder to sample salami from another province than to buy sopprasetta from Italy. No one is arguing that health and safety standards should be loosened for smaller operations; only that the way a safe environment is evaluated could be more sensitive to size. The Canadian Food Inspection Agency was unable to comment on short notice about the possibility of looking at different regulations for small and large producers. It would say only that its first... (Globe and Mail)
Smoked salmon recalled over concerns about Listeria Apr 1, 2009
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency and Mississauga, Ont. -based Niagara Smoked Fish Ltd. are warning the public not to consume certain brands of smoked salmon and Grav-Lox. (Globe and Mail -- National)
Frito Lay Canada recalls pistachios Apr 1, 2009
The company and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency are warning the public not to consume Munchies brand pistachios. The affected product is sold in 50-gram packages (UPC 0 60410 04595 4) bearing dates between Aug. 4 and Dec. 15, 2009. (Globe and Mail)
Bill to OK U.S. travel to Cuba to be unveiled Apr 1, 2009
"So you would have American tourists traveling to Cuba driving around on Chinese buses, staying at Spanish hotels, eating Canadian food," Erikson said, adding, "The only McDonald's I've ever seen in Cuba is at the military base at Guantanamo Bay.". has said he favors changes in U.S.-Cuba policy but has not offered details. (CNN -- World)
Food inspectors leave some problems with bottled water unreported Mar 25, 2009
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency often finds problems with bottled water, but doesn't tell the public about them. Canada's federal food watchdog issued 29 recall notices for bottled water products between 2000 and early 2008, citing deficiencies such as contamination by bacteria, moulds, glass chips and trace amounts of arsenic. (Globe and Mail)
Sewing needles found in hot dogs in Ontario Mar 20, 2009
TORONTO Guelph police and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency are investigating after sewing needles were found in packages of hot dogs and children's deli lunches at a Guelph grocery store this week. More needles were found on Thursday. (Globe and Mail)
Jenny Craig Recalls Further Products Manufactured with Ingredients from Peanut Corporation of America's Plainview Texas Facility Mar 6, 2009
March 5 /PRNewswire/ -- Jenny Craig, Inc. one of the nation's leading authorities on weight management, today announced that out of an abundance of caution it will be honoring a recall order issued by The Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) and further supported by the United States Food & Drug Administration (FDA) and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA). As such, Jenny Craig is voluntarily recalling all products manufactured with ingredients from PCA's Plainview Texas... (PR Newswire)
Wal-Mart Will Close Sam's Club Warehouse Stores in Ontario, Cut 1,200 Jobs Feb 27, 2009
Wal-Mart accounted for 4 percent of Canadian food sales in 2007, BMO Capital Markets analyst has said. To contact the reporter on this story: in New York at ; in Greensboro, North Carolina, at 1348 or. (Bloomberg -- Canada)
Recalled wieners were quarantined: Maple Leaf Feb 25, 2009
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency, in a separate recall announcement late Tuesday, said the product in question had been distributed in Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick, Alberta and Newfoundland and Labrador. Of all the recalled products, "over 75 per cent" are now within the company's control and the balance is expected to be completed by noon Wednesday, the company said in a release Tuesday. (Grainews)
Cloned organics denied in Canada Feb 19, 2009
The answer, according to Canadian food authorities, is no.. Canada has declared organic food and cloned animals to be mutually exclusive - which means any products derived from cloned animals won't carry the country's new organic logo. (Globe and Mail)
Listeria concerns prompt recalls Feb 19, 2009
Ottawa A health warning has been issued for two products the Canadian Food Inspection Agency says may be contaminated with the Listeria bacteria. One is egg salad manufactured by Plaisirs Gastronomique Inc. of Boisbriand, Que. (Globe and Mail)
60000 BC turkeys culled in avian flu outbreak Feb 17, 2009
The mass destruction of thousands of turkeys on a farm near Abbotsford, B.C., began Monday after the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) confirmed a positive test result for avian flu over the weekend. "Today the Canadian Food Inspection Agency has started the humane destruction of approximately 60,000 birds on the infected premises in British Columbia where H5 avian influenza has been confirmed," said Sandra Stephens, a CFIA disease control specialist. (Canada.com)
Glass in hamburger sold at Kelowna store from broken clock ... Feb 17, 2009
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency is satisfied that the area in clean and secure, she said ... The Canadian Food Inspection Agency says the fresh lean ground beef club pack affected by the recall was sold in 2. (Edmonton Sun)
Ground beef from Calgary now being recalled in BC Feb 16, 2009
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency warning the 2. 5kg trays of the ground beef may contain glass. (660 News)
Nine-month limit suggested for roadside tributes Feb 15, 2009
U.S. President Barack Obama on Saturday hailed congressional approval of a $787 billion economic stimulus bill as a "major milestone on our road to recovery... Local updates Inside The Calgary Herald Australian firefighters are close to containing bushfires that killed at least 181 people, officials said on Saturday, while police allowed one of the worst-hit communities a brief visit to their devastated town.U.S. President Barack Obama on Saturday hailed congressional... (Calgary Herald)
Comparing apples to apples, Calgarians pay more for food Feb 15, 2009
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency is warning the public not to eat a certain type of ground beef sold in a grocery store in Kelowna over fears it may contain pieces of glass. . (Calgary Herald)
Second poultry farm shut down due to avian flu Feb 13, 2009
A second poultry farm in southern B.C. has tested positive for avian flu, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency said Wednesday. Officials say the farm is located within a three-kilometre radius of an Abbotsford turkey farm where the H5 avian influenza virus was discovered on Jan. 24. (Canada.com)
Atkins Nutritionals, Inc. Recalls Four Atkins Products That Contain Granulated Peanuts or Peanut Pieces Sourced from the Peanut Corporatin of America Feb 12, 2009
As a result of PCA's expanded recall, Atkins has determined to voluntarily recall these two Atkins products out of an abundance of caution because they contain granulated peanuts recalled by PCA. While Atkins has determined to cooperate with the Canadian Food Inspection Agency, and voluntarily recall these two products, the recall is purely a precautionary measure, out of concern for our consumers and retail customers. Atkins is confident that these two products and all Atkins products... (U.S. Food and Drug Administration -- Alerts)
2nd case of avian flu turns up in Fraser Valley Feb 12, 2009
About 12,000 birds on the Fraser Valley farm will be destroyed by Thursday, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency said Wednesday. The flock was tested as part of surveillance activities in a three-kilometre radius around E&H Farms, the commercial turkey farm where low-pathogenic H5 N2 avian influenza was detected on Jan. 24, the agency said in a news release. (CBC.ca)
Cracking the poison processed peanuts case Feb 10, 2009
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency retrieved intact packages of crackers from a patient in Canada who had bought them in the U.S. A test found the outbreak strain of salmonella in the crackers. Three more intact packages bought by a victim in Oregon were tested, too, and found to be contaminated. (MSNBC -- Health)
Food inspection agency failing, A-G says Feb 7, 2009
In a report yesterday, the Auditor-General said the Canadian Food Inspection Agency must provide greater protection to Canada's crops and forests, which are facing a constant threat from invasive plants, seeds, pests and diseases. Ms. Fraser said she was alarmed that "high-risk imported commodities ... are sometimes released for distribution without being inspected.". (Globe and Mail)
Auditor-General slams crop inspections Feb 7, 2009
The Auditor-General found that inspection standards vary widely by region, and that the Canadian Food Inspection Agency is not up-to-date when it comes to identifying new risks. Auditor-General Sheila Fraser releeases her report in Ottawa on Feb. 5. (Globe and Mail)
