au courant
A regular update on issues, events and activities.
Volume 11, No.1, January 2007
FCPC in the News
- Canada's premier foodservice event, Foodservice Interchange (FSI), served up renowned speakers from across North America and provided a full menu of what's to come on Canada's foodservice scene. FSI took place on January 30th at the Pearson Convention Center. Co-hosted by FCPC and Canadian Council of Grocery Distributors (CCGD), more than 350 foodservice manufacturers, distributors and operators came together to hear experts speak on international trends, including healthy eating, small indulgences, organic and socially responsible food, and an increasing demand for fresh cuisine. For event coverage, see the January 31st edition of the Hamilton Spectator and the article filed by Canadian Press. Watch for speaker highlights in the next issue of au courant.
Top Stories
- FCPC joins Canadian Manufacturing Coalition in support of regulatory modernization
FCPC has joined 27 other manufacturing industry associations to form the Canadian Manufacturing Coalition. The mandate of the coalition is to present a united front to government on the challenges facing manufacturing namely regulatory modernization, accelerated capital cost appreciation and a renewed commitment to continue to lower corporate tax rates. The coalition will work together to respond to the upcoming Industry's report expected in early February. For more information, see Coalition letter to Prime Minister. [
Members only ] - Health Canada's Blueprint for Renewal promises regulatory relief for food industry
In late December, FCPC met with the Minister of Health to discuss Health Canada's Blueprint for Renewal and to offer support for The Blueprint. The document includes the Regulatory Modernization Strategy for Food and Nutrition which calls for action on issues FCPC has been championing for a number of years: developing "a new regulatory framework for expanded Health Claims for foods" and "examination of, and improvements to, pre-market regulatory processes for food additives and novel foods to ensure that the food regulatory system manages its resources and expertise in such a way that places maximum time and resource investment in higher-risk food safety and nutrition issues." FCPC will continue to keep members up to date on this government initiative. - New Canadian Organic Product Regulations to take effect 2008, FCPC working on equivalency
New organic product regulations have been approved following a very compressed consultation last fall and will take effect in two years. The haste in developing Canadian organic standards was driven by an EU deadline making it mandatory for all countries exporting organic food to the EU to be on an approved equivalency list as of December 31. Significant discrepancies exist between the Canadian regulations, as adopted, and what is in place in the US. This could result in trade barriers for some companies importing organic products into Canada if changes are not made to the regulation prior to implementation in 2008. FCPC is working with Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada and Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade to press for equivalency with both the US and EU. Read more in the Public Policy Report. [ Members only ] - Health Canada announces position on 5 US Health Claims and seeks comment
Health Canada (HC) issued a position paper on five U.S. health claims that were being considered for use in Canada and is proposing to allow two of those health claims (i.e., for vegetables, fruit and whole gains and reduced risk of heart disease and for folic acid and reduced risk of neural tube defects). FCPC is reviewing the position paper and will be providing comments to HC soon. Read more in the Public Policy Report. [ Members only ]
Industry News
- New Funding available to support food traceability in Ontario from OMAFRA
To increase the implementation of traceability systems within the food chain in Ontario, the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs will make funding available to growers, primary producers and food processors interested in implementing a traceability system in their facility through direct grants and through pilot projects. Selected applicants will be reimbursed by OMAFRA for 75% of their eligible expenses, up to $20,000, for implementing a facility level traceability system. In the case of the pilot projects, consultant fees will be covered in addition to the maximum established. Application forms and program guidelines will be available February 12, 2007 on OMAFRA's website or by phone at 1-866-641-3663, e-mail: FSI.omafra@ontario.ca. This is a first come-first served program. FCPC members are encouraged to apply quickly. - Free sessions on lean manufacturing for manufacturers in Eastern Ontario
The Food Industry Competitiveness Branch has partnered with Excellence in Manufacturing (EMC) and the Alliance of Ontario Food Processors to offer a free session titled "Demystifying Lean" for manufacturers in Eastern Ontario. The session provides a review of the principles of lean manufacturing and the seven deadly wastes that can affect a business and features guest speaker Chad Metcalf, President of Value Stream Solutions Incorporated. These free sessions will be held February 19-21 in Eastern Ontario. For more information and to register. - Calling all members responsible for Pandemic Planning
FCPC is creating a list of members responsible for pandemic planning at individual member companies. This list, which will be posted on the FCPC Members-only section of the Association's website, will help ensure that the key contacts at member companies are kept up-to-date of any announcements from FCPC. If you are responsible for pandemic planning at your company, please send an email to Toni Amato, Communications Officer at tonia@fcpc.ca, including your name, title, organization and full contact information. - Conference Board of Canada hosts Business Continuity and Pandemic Preparedness: Planning, Partnership, and Participation Conference May 15-16
The Conference will explore specific strategies and techniques you can apply to help ensure continued operation and workforce well-being in the face of disruptive events and takes place at the Marriott Toronto Eaton Centre, Toronto, ON. For more information and to register.
Upcoming Events
- Executive Breakfast with Eric Richer La Flèche, Executive Vice-President & Chief Operating Officer, Metro Inc., presented in partnership with CCGD
February 13, 2007 at the Pearson Convention Center, Brampton, ON
Don't miss this opportunity to hear from Eric Richer La Flèche on Metro Inc.'s strategic plan for growth in an increasingly complex and competitive Canadian food retailing market. Eric will share his perspectives on industry issues and growth opportunities for suppliers including the focus on supply chain and operations best practices. Information & Registration. - Executive Trading Partner Breakfast with Louise Wendling, Senior Vice-President, Country Manager, Costco Canada, presented in partnership with CCGD
February 20, 2007 at the Pearson Convention Center, Brampton, ON
Join us and hear from Louise Wendling discuss Costco's strategic plans that impact suppliers, opportunities for growth as a supplier, best supplier practices and current industry issues. Information & Registration. - Executive Breakfast with Frank Hennessey, Vice-President, Purchasing of Cara Foods
February 28, 2007 at the Pearson Convention Center, Brampton, ON
Hear from Frank Hennessey who will provide an update on Cara's system integration and its impact on supply chain efficiency. Frank will share his perspective on current supply chain initiatives, as well as the opportunities for growth and/or cost reduction for suppliers, and supplier best practices. Information & Registration. - State of the Industry: Food & Beverage Benchmarking Forum brought to you by Guelph Food Technology Centre, FCPC, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Deliotte, George Morris Centre and RBC
March 29-30, 2007 at the Pearson Convention Centre, Brampton, ON
The two-day conference looks at Canada's productivity, how Canada's regulatory systems stifles innovation, our poor value chain management and resource issues and looks to develop winning corporate strategies for the Canadian food and agri-products industry. The program includes Nancy Croitoru, President & CEO, Elaine Smith, Senior VP Industry Affairs, Gemma Zecchini, Senior VP Public Policy of FCPC and members Allan Cosman, President & CEO, Ferrero Canada Ltd., John Pigott, President & CEO, Morrison Lamothe and Fred Schaeffer, President & CEO, McCain Foods Canada. For more information and to register.
Hold the Date - 2007 FCPC Events. More details coming soon.
- Executive Breakfast with Bill McEwan, President and Chief Executive Officer, Sobey's Inc., presented in partnership with CCGD
April 19, 2007 location TBD - National Grocery Conference, Presented by CCGD and FCPC
May 26-28, 2007 at the Ottawa Congress Centre
Welcome to FCPC
FCPC is pleased to announce our newest affiliate member Orkin Canada.
- The largest pest management provider in Canada, Orkin Canada offers essential pest control services for homeowners and commercial businesses. The company serves more than 50,000 customers in numerous industries including food and beverage processing, retail, warehousing, and manufacturing. Orkin Canada offers its Gold Medal Protection program, a comprehensive Integrated Pest Management system specifically designed for these highly regulated industries. Headquartered in Toronto, Orkin Canada employs more than 600 employees in 30 offices, serving the country's 4,600 miles and five time zones. The company is a wholly owned subsidiary of Rollins, Inc. and a division of Atlanta, Ga.-based Orkin, Inc. For more information, call 1-800-800-ORKIN or visit www.orkincanada.ca.
People in the News
- Jeffrey Allgrove, President and CEO, Unilever Canada moving back to Europe; David Blanchard announced as the new President and CEO Effective January 1st, 2007
Jeffrey has been appointed SVP, Global Transformation for Unilever and will be working out of Rotterdam and London. David Blanchard will succeed Jeffrey as President and CEO of Unilever. Prior to his appointment in Canada, David worked with the Unilever Foods Team as SVP Marketing Operations for the Americas Region.
Member News
- 25 Campbell's Soups Now Carry the Health Check Symbol
Starting in January, 25 of the most popular varieties of Campbell's soups will proudly carry the Health Check symbol from the Heart and Stroke Foundation. Campbell is using less salt, specialized blending and flavouring techniques and in some cases, the addition of lower sodium sea salt, to bring sodium levels down, which reiterates the company's commitment to reduce sodium without sacrificing taste. For more information, refer to www.campbellsoup.ca. - Unilever's Dove Evolution video continues to garner media attention
Canada's top creative directors have chosen Unilever's Dove "Evolution" as the best Canadian ad of the year. An article appeared in the January 2nd edition of The Globe and Mail touting the 75-second video, which has been viewed almost five million times on YouTube. An article also appeared in the January 2007 edition of Strategy Magazine which outlined how the company moved from being a product to becoming the number two beauty brand in Canada. - The Frito Lay Way - President Mark Guay reinvents the Chip
Mark Guay appeared on the front cover of the January 2007 edition of Strategy Magazine, which featured an in depth look at how the company's success is attributed to constant innovation including product reformulation-like baked Lays, multigrain Tostitos, and other product innovation like new flavours, sizes and formats. - Heenan Blaikie releases Fall/Winter 2006 Canadian Marketing & Advertising Law Update
The report covers food regulation, litigation and innovation over the past year. Topics include trans fat, federal organic regulation, required nutrition disclosures, voluntary nutrition facts, food-related litigation, weight loss, health claims and other issues of importance to the food industry. Read the full report. - Fewer Canadians will make a new year's resolution to diet in 2007
According to a recent NPD Group Study titled 2006 Eating Patterns in Canada (EPIC), fewer Canadians will be making a resolution to diet in 2007 than in previous years. Instead of dieting, health conscious households are looking at the foods they eat as well as the ways they prepare them. Food manufacturers can use EPIC to help understand the long-term trends and insights of the food industry and foodservice operators can use EPIC to help meet the latest consumer demands when looking to attract new audiences, increase revenue or even to choose the hottest menu items. EPIC 2006 is available at www.npdcanada.ca.
Industry Making Headlines
- Asian 'Loblaws' set to expand (Toronto Star, January 11, 2007)
Asian grocery stores, T & T Supermarket Inc. has announced it will open its first downtown Toronto store on city-owned waterfront property this fall. T & T, which operates 15 other stores across Canada, including four in suburban cities around Toronto, said the time was ripe for a move into the downtown core. The B.C.-based firm, jointly owned by Taiwan, American and Canadian interests, says its stores appeal to a broad cross-section of consumers. - Beyond The Green Corporation (Business Week, January 29, 2007)
Imagine a world in which eco-friendly and socially responsible practices actually help a company's bottom line. It's closer than you think. A number of CEOs have begun to commit themselves to sustainability goals, even in profit- obsessed America. - Loblaw announces changes that will lead to a leaner and more responsive structure (Canada NewsWire January 22, 2007)
Loblaw Companies Limited announced that the company will be refocusing its business around the initiatives of "Simplify, Innovate and Grow". Following a thorough review of major retail and merchandising functions and processes across all of the Company's geographic regions, the new management team will be implementing a leaner and more responsive organizational structure and related business processes. The expected headcount reduction of 800 - 1,000 jobs will be limited to its head office and regional offices. There will be no reduction of store or distribution centre employees.