au courant
A regular update on issues, events and activities.
Volume 11, No. 8, 2007
Thinking outside of the (blue) box
This year marks the 26th Anniversary of Ontario's famous curb side recycling program, the Blue Box. It also marks the first time FCPC's annual CEOs' Conference will focus exclusively on the environment and sustainability. Dr. David Suzuki, Terry Babbs, Technical Director from Tesco (a leading UK-based retailer), consumer and issue experts Harvey Hartman and Colin Isaacs, will join journalist and author, Jeffery Simpson along with environmental champion and pioneer, Ray Anderson at the premier industry event. Also speaking is Tom Heintzman, Co-founder of Bullfrog Power, whose company is providing ‘green energy' to power the event taking place Sept 27-28 at Queen's Landing, Niagara on the Lake. Event sponsors including FCPC Affiliates: The Nielsen Company (Gold), KPMG (Silver), IBM (Bronze) and the Agriculture Adaptation Council.
New research on food additives published
On September 6th, the University of Southampton published the results of a study looking at whether intake of artificial food colour and additives affected childhood behaviour. To date, the results of this and other similar studies have been inconclusive and suggest further study is warranted; however, our industry continues to look seriously at these results with scientific and health officials. In the meantime, industry continues to uphold the current world-leading practices we have in Canada. To read the results of the study from the Lancet click here (must be a subscriber).
Vending Changes
New guidelines have recently been announced in Alberta and Quebec related to food and beverages sold in vending machines. Copies of the guidelines are currently available in French and contain details about what food and beverages will be allowed in schools across the province. An English version of the guidelines will be made available to FCPC members shortly.
Alberta has developed voluntary nutrition guidelines for facilities and organizations that provide food and beverages to children and youth through vending machines and foodservice venues. These include elementary and high schools, recreation centres, childcare settings, special events and the community at large. The new regulations follow Canada's Food Guide to Healthy Eating. For more information, please consult the Alberta Nutrition Guidelines for Children and Youth or contact Catherine Abel at 416-510-8024 ext 2228 or catherinea@fcpc.ca.
Log on and learn - best practices for multi-cultural, multi-generational staff
If you missed FCPC's first HR 4X4, don't despair - some great insights to help you determine how culturally diverse and sensitive your organization is in today's growing cross-cultural and multi-generational workforce is available to members on the FCPC members only website. Click here to access a best practices resource provide by one of FCPC's newest affiliate members, Global Learning Initiatives, and learn more about the varying behaviours and needs of a diverse staff. FCPC would also like to thank Giselle Kovary, n-Gen; Gabriel Bouchard, Monster; and the following FCPC member's Art Horn, President of Horn; and John Craig, Partner, Heenen Blaikie for their presentations that delivered a highly rated session. The results of FCPC's Management Compensation Survey (available now) were also presented. Members interested in ordering a copy of the survey should contact Heather Spencer at heather.spencer@fcpc.ca or at 416-510-8024 ext 2237.
Upcoming Events
Can you speed business growth and slow climate change?
Like most Canadians, companies operating in the food, beverage and consumer packaged goods industry have heard of offsetting, but if you were tasked with how to measure your carbon footprint, how would you go about it? Attend FCPC's upcoming breakfast to hear how. Join David Vincent, Technical Director for world-leading enviro-business firm, The Carbon Trust, to put the Canadian experience in context of world developments; hear of best practices for businesses of all sizes; and learn about the short and long term considerations as you attempt to make business sense of climate change. Find out why some of the world's biggest brands including Coca-Cola, Kimberly-Clark and Cadbury Schweppes are already in partnership with The Carbon Trust to develop a carbon footprinting standard. Contact Heather Spencer at heather.spencer@fcpc.ca or at 416-510-8024 ext 2237.
HR for non-HR professionals
The University of Toronto, School of Continuing Studies has put together a concise program for non-HR professionals that has particular appeal for our industry. HARDCORE HR is a practical program which gives you all of the essential HR skills and tools you need to create a productive, positive team or workforce. This innovative program consists of five one-day workshops covering all the essential issues critical to your success as a manager of people. The first session begins October 13th. For more information or to register please go to www.scscourses.ca/hardcorehr, or contact the School of Continuing Studies at 416-978-2400. Space is limited so register soon!
"Live through a pandemic" Save the Date: November 29-30, 2007
As governments around the world prepare for the threat of a global pandemic - companies and industries have also caught onto the need for integration in planning and simulations. FCPC, CCGD and CFIG members together with partners of Canada's food, beverage and consumer goods sector encourage you to make plans to attend a hands-on session designed exclusively for our sector. Don't miss this opportunity to know what it would be like to live through a pandemic with internal and external stakeholders. To add your name to the participant list contact heather.spencer@fcpc.ca or call Lesley McKeever, SVP Industry Affairs and Membership at 416-510-8024 ext 2231.
RFID Journal LIVE! Canada - November 26-28
On November 26-28, 2007, companies doing business in Canada once again have the opportunity to learn how to leverage Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) and Electronic Product Code (EPC) - at the second annual RFID Journal LIVE! Canada. Produced by RFID Journal in partnership with EPCglobal Canada, a wholly owned subsidiary of GS1 Canada, the event will be held in Toronto and is designed specifically to address the unique needs of Canadian companies. Speakers include representatives from Wal-Mart Canada, McKesson Corporate and Handleman Company of Canada and will detail how RFID can improve the way companies do business. For more information regarding this event, visit www.rfidjournalevents.com/livecanada/.
Industry Stories
Ottawa creates $500m fund to support biofuel research
The federal government has set up a $500-million fund that will invest in biofuel research projects, called the NextGen Biofuels Fund. The fund will pay up to 40 per cent of the cost of innovative demonstration-scale plants that turn grasses, agricultural residue or forest waste into fuel. For more information, please see the press release.
Reach millions of customers with Digital Online Videos
Today, the Internet's ability to deliver topics on-demand in a rapid and concise manner directly affects how consumers research information, making it a vital resource for consumers seeking up-to-date, useful information on these products and services before purchasing time. Of consumers who have made a purchase in the last month: 57% said they learned more using the Internet, 55% said they used the Internet to decide where to buy, and 56% said they made the final purchase decision using the Internet (Ontario Publishers Association 2007). News Canada's Digital Online Videos are featured on major websites and Portals such as MSN, AOL, Rogers Yahoo! and reach millions of consumers nationwide. For more information contact Charlene Nadalin at 416-599-9900, ext. 203 or cnadalin@newscanada.com
FCPC Submissions
On August 30, 2007, FCPC responded to proposed amendments to the Food and Drug Regulations and the Dairy Products Regulations specific to cheese identity and compositional standards. To review the submission, please click here.
Welcome to FCPC
Ocean Nutrition Canada Limited becomes a member of FCPC
FCPC is happy to announce Ocean Nutrition Canada Limited has joined the association. Ocean Nutrition Canada Limited (ONC) is in the business of discovering, manufacturing, and marketing Omega-3 ingredients that improve human health. It is the innovator and supplier of MEG-3® brand Omega-3 EPA/DHA ingredients from fish oil, to the global dietary supplement and healthy food markets.
FCPC is also pleased to welcome FKI Logistex as an Associate Member. FKI Logistex is a single-source provider of robotic palletizing and depalletizing solutions to meet material handling challenges at the beginning and end of the line.
Member News
Coca-Cola Co and PepsiCo Inc. include caffeine content on labels
Recently, soft-drink giants Coca-Cola and Pepsi said they plan to phase in new labels that include caffeine content, as it is an additive to their products. Most national brands also provide lists of the amount of caffeine in their products on their websites. While research has shown that only eight per cent of adults were able to differentiate between the tast of caffeinated and caffeine-free colas, it is the buzz caused by caffeine that is the draw for most consumers. For more information.
Gay Lea Foods and Agropur reach agreement in principle to merge
Canada's two largest dairy co-ops have reached an agreement in principle to merge, to create a new producer-owned co-operative. Both Gay Lea and Agropur are essentially provincial co-ops that market their products nationally. Gay Lea has about 1,250 producer members - representing slightly more than one-quarter of Ontario's dairy producers - and sales of $400 million. Agropur has 3,900 members - representing more than half of Quebec's dairy licenses - processes about two-thirds of the milk in the province, and generates $2.8 billion in sales.