au courant
A regular update on issues, events and activities.
Volume 11, No. 12, 2007
Top Stories
"Ensuring the safety of our products is the single most important goal of our industry" - Industry supports government of Canada's efforts to improve product safety
FCPC welcomed Prime Minister Harper's recent announcement of his government's plans to introduce legislation to improve food and consumer product safety. The industry looks forward to working closely with the government on the upcoming food and product safety legislation, and will be urging government and parliamentarians to focus on policies that will prevent food and consumer product contamination and crack down on unsafe counterfeit products that threaten the reputations of responsible companies who take product safety very seriously. Canada's food and consumer products manufacturers have made substantial investments in food and product safety and will continue to increase our investments to address the challenges posed by rising imports and changing consumer preferences. Click here to read news coverage about this story, including quotes from FCPC's Vice President Blake Johnston, in the Toronto Star.
Health Canada encouraged by industry's progress to reduce trans fat
On December 20, Health Canada announced that the first set of data from its trans fat monitoring program has been posted, and the results are encouraging. In a press event with the Heart and Stroke Foundation, Health Minister Tony Clement stated that the "data shows that in all food categories that were analyzed, there are many successful examples of trans fats levels being reduced." Industry's process of self-regulation has yielded tremendous results to date, which is evident by the reformulated products on shelves today. Health Canada's audit process and industry's reports help underscore the progress made and our commitment to reducing trans fat in Canadian's diets.
IT and HR Share Groups
Share Groups provide members the ability to connect with industry peers to discuss issues and solutions to common, non-competitive challenges.
HR Share Group
Recognizing that FCPC's membership covers a diverse geography and range of companies, the association has created two options around our HR Share Groups: one "virtual", the other "in-person". In-Person Share Groups: We will be creating two "in-person" share groups for our HR community to network. These Share Groups will be devised based on member company size. Virtual Share Groups: We also provide an opportunity to our member companies to connect on various issues on a 'less formal' ad hoc basis. For more information, please email Kathleen Kennedy at kathleenk@fcpc.ca.
IT Share Group
FCPC has also recently launched an IT Share Group formed to provide a forum for non-competing members to network and share best practices. The group is in the early stages of developing its mandate and welcomes new members across FCPC's membership. For more information, please contact Gabby Nobrega at gabbyn@fcpc.ca.
Upcoming Events
Foodservice Interchange 2008 (January 22) Focus on critical issues of labour and consumer loyalty
Time is money. This is exceptionally true for companies operating in the foodservice arena. So how then balance innovation and building customer loyalty when trying to find talent? Attend 2008 FSI to get the answers that will help you find and retain your staff today and how to position your company based on the culinary and technological innovations in development by the world's leading chefs. The conference also includes bonus sessions and new research on labour, sales training and the relationship between manufacturers and operators in Canada. View the full program online and Register Now!
Executive Breakfast with Wal-Mart Canada Corporation (January 7, 2008) at the Pearson Convention Centre - sponsored by Nielsen
Wal-Mart Canada's movers and shakers in one room - you may never have a chance like this again to hear as top executives share their perspectives on current industry issues, growth opportunities for suppliers and supplier best practices. Information & Registration.
Pandemic Table top confirmed February 26, 2008 - register now!
FCPC is pleased to provide more details about the anxiously anticipated Live through a Pandemic event. On February 26, 2008, FCPC members will be joined by representatives from across the supply chain including CACDS, CCGD, CFIG, CRFA and RCC for an industry-wide pandemic exercise. Participants from critical infrastructure groups, including water, transportation, communication, banking, energy and government will provide an in depth look at how these groups will deliver services during a pandemic and how it will impact individual companies' plans. Live simulations involving manufacturers, retailers, suppliers, the critical infrastructure group and government will test the effectiveness of current plans and the impact of interdependencies across the industry and within your organization. This event has been sponsored in part by the Agriculture Adaptation Council. For further information, please contact, Heather Spencer at 416-510-8024 ext 2237 or heather.spencer@fcpc.ca or click here to register.
Save the Date - Executive Breakfast with Jurgen Schreiber, Chairman & CEO of Shoppers Drug Mart (April 2, 2008) - sponsored by Nielsen
Don't miss out hearing from leading retailer, Shoppers Drug Mart, on where the company is going and where opportunities lie for your business. More information to follow but make sure you save the date. Information & Registration.
Save the Date - 32nd National Nutrient DataBank Conference (May 12-14, 2008)
In 2008, the National Nutrient DataBank Conference, Nutrient Databases Without Borders, will be hosted for the first time outside of the US. Join us in Ottawa where well-known researchers and authorities will present lectures and updates on issues and challenges related to nutrient databases. This event is an excellent opportunity to both familiarize Canadian health professionals with the issues surrounding the generation and use of nutrient data, as well as a chance to explore the differences and similarities in Canada and the US. For more information, visit www.healthcanada.gc.ca/32nndc.
Industry Stories
January 1 deadline for 2008 Outstanding Young Farmers' Program nominations
There are less than two weeks left for nominations for the 2008 Outstanding Young Farmers' Program within the Ontario region! Celebrating its 28th year, Canada's Outstanding Young Farmers' program is an annual competition to recognize farmers that exemplify excellence in their profession and promote the tremendous contribution of agriculture, and rural Canada. Nominees may be an individual, couple or managing partner/shareholder of a farm group. For more information or to get your nomination form today, contact Karen Daynard at (519) 836-2583 or kdaynard@sympatico.ca.
A Unique and "Tasty" Opportunity to reach kids with healthy eating message
The Canadian Diabetes Association is partnering with the opera company Tapestry and the children's cultural entity Words in Motion to create an operatic production focused on the importance of making healthy food choices. The opera is specifically targeted to children aged 6 - 12, is focused on Canada's food guide, and using words, music, sounds, and humour, clearly teaches children the difference between "good" and "bad" food choices. The three partners in the project, all not-for-profit, reputable organizations are seeking financial support to bring this project to reality. It is the intent of all partners to develop this opera in the next 6 months, to launch it Fall 2008 and then to have it tour both Ontario and the rest of Canada in schools, activity centres, or any other child-focused facility. Any interested parties are encouraged to contact Jane Eisbrenner, Vice-President Corporate Partnerships at the Canadian Diabetes Association at jane.eisbrenner@diabetes.ca or at (416) 408-7021.
Food Safety Coalition re-launches website
The Canadian Supply Chain Food Safety Coalition (of which FCPC is a proud member) recently re-launched its website at www.foodsafetycoalition.ca. The revitalized website provides access to the Coalition's reports on its conferences and workshops, including the March 2007 session on pandemic preparedness planning, the 2006 workshop on emergency planning and the 2004 Government/Industry Forum on Food Safety. The site also provides access to the Coalition's recent submissions to governments on the food safety component of the next generation of agricultural and food policy and programming. Future additions to the site will include links to its members' food safety websites as well as details and updates on the Coalition's current initiatives.
ACNielsen study provides unparalleled view of consumer purchase behaviour and dairy case sales
Dairy Case sales have evolved from an everyday staple to a stimulating choice consumers are making to ensure a healthy vibrant lifestyle. In order for members to capitalize on this opportunity, ACNielsen has released the Nielsen 2007 Dairy Case Study, with consumer information on the average household spend on dairy case products, the size of the market, and much more. To read highlights of the study, click here.
New insights on Omega-9 oils as a solution for removing trans fat and reducing saturated fat
A new research paper is now available on FCPC's Member Resources site. The White Paper on Omega-9 oils is provided by Dow AgroSciences Canada Inc, and provides the science behind the movement to change fats in our food supply as well as information on characteristics of oils that have been part of the solution. Details describing the impact of dietary guidance on fat consumption and specifics on trans fat legislation show how the progression to new generation oils can improve food products and human health. Click here to read.
FCPC Submissions
On December 7, 2007, FCPC provided a written submission to Health Canada commenting on the Draft Guidance Document on the Management of Pre-Market Submissions for novel foods, food additives and infant formulas. To read the submission, please click here.
Member News
Starbucks aiming to enter Bulgaria and Portugal in 2008
Starbucks has announced that it is hoping to enter the European markets of Bulgaria and Portugal in 2008 as part of its expansion plans for the year. The company said that it would be using existing joint venture partners for the expansion, using Greece-based Marinopoulos for its expansion into Bulgaria and Spain-based Grupo Vips for Portugal. Read more
The Coca-Cola Company announces Senior Leadership Succession Plan
The Coca-Cola Company announced in early December its Board of Directors has approved the recommendation of Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Neville Isdell for an evolution of the Company's leadership structure. Under the new structure, President and Chief Operating Officer Muhtar Kent will succeed Isdell as chief executive officer as of July 1, 2008. Isdell will remain chairman of the Board of Directors until the Company's Annual Meeting of Shareowners in April 2009.
Three million pounds of sodium cut from ConAgra food
Recently, ConAgra Foods announced it has removed nearly three million pounds of sodium from a range of products without affecting taste. The firm said it will continue to look at ways of cutting down salt, and has already managed to remove up to 20 per cent from many of its popular lines. Read more
Nestle and Pierre Marcolini enter into partnership for chocolate making
Food and confectionery company Nestle SA announced on December 13th that the company has entered into a strategic partnership with Pierre Marcolini, a luxury chocolate maker based in Brussels, Belgium. Under the partnership Pierre Marcolini will provide ideas for future Nestle chocolate ranges, while Nestle will help Pierre Marcolini expand his network of boutiques across the world.
From everyone at FCPC, we wish you all a safe and happy holiday season. Please note our office will be closed from December 24-January 2.