au courant
A regular update on issues, events and activities.
Volume 12, No.3, 2008
Top Stories
Changes at FCPC
It is with regret and
disappointment that we announce that Gabby Nobrega, Senior Vice President,
Member Services & Communications, will be leaving FCPC as of April 30, 2008. We
have been fortunate to have Gabby with FCPC for much of the last two years and
have benefited from her strategic and creative thinking as well as her ability
to draw on her wealth of skills around business development. Her positive energy
and her can-do attitude has been a huge asset to this organization. FCPC would
like to take this opportunity to personally thank Gabby for everything she has
given to us in the time she as been at the association and wish her the very
best in her future endeavours
Helping Canadians Eat well. Live better. Industry profiled in Globe and Mail
supplement
The food, beverage and consumer
products industry was recently profiled in a special section in the Globe and
Mail. The supplement in the Globe Life looks at global trends and
consumer insights, new products and product
reformulation, initiatives being led and/or undertaken by industry and the
vision for the future of the industry.
Click here to read more.
Industry advertising self-regulation challenged by health NGOs
On March 4-5, the Chronic Disease Prevention Alliance of Canada (CDPAC) hosted a
‘Policy Consensus Conference’ on Obesity and the Impact of Marketing on
Children. FCPC presented at the conference on behalf of the industry, along
with other representatives including Concerned Children’s Advertisers,
Advertising Standards Canada, and the Association of Canadian Advertisers. In
addition, there were a number of global academics who presented in support of
advertising restrictions. A Policy Consensus Statement was issued March 31 and
is under review by government and industry. To read the statement,
please click here. For more
information, contact Gemma Zecchini at 416-510-8024 ext 2281 or
gemmaz@fcpc.ca.
Government of Canada announces new Food and Drugs Act liaison office
On March 11, the Government of Canada announced the opening of the
Food and Drugs Act Liaison Office (FDALO) to deal with issues concerning the
Food and Drugs Act. The office will provide an independent and confidential
resource for those experiencing problems with the regulatory process or with the
application of policies or procedures. FDALO will listen to complaints, offer
options, facilitate resolution, make recommendations and examine issues
independently and impartially. For more information,
visit
the web site.
Health NGOs call for precautionary labelling of potential carcinogens in
consumer products
On March 6, three major public health charities - the Canadian Cancer
Society, Heart and Stroke Foundation and Canadian Lung Association - called for
federal ‘Community Right to Know’ ingredient labelling for all products for human
use, with clear, highly visible identification of toxic or carcinogenic
substances. FCPC and our member companies have been actively working with the
government in conducting a science-based systematic and comprehensive substance
review program under the Canadian Environmental Protection Act (CEPA). This
review process ensures that ingredients allowed for use in the Canadian
marketplace are safe for humans and the environment and is a more thorough
process than labelling alone. For more information, please contact Catherine
Abel at catherinea@fcpc.ca or
416-510-8024 ext 2228.
New
hazardous waste recycling fees in Ontario and Manitoba
With the environment an ever-increasing priority on the agenda, two provinces
have recently announced programs that will affect consumer packaged goods
companies. As of July 1, 2008, CPG companies who sell single use batteries,
fertilizers, herbicides, pesticides, insecticides (and their containers) into
the Ontario marketplace will be responsible for funding 80 per cent of the cost
of take-back and recycling programs in this province. This program will also
affect manufacturers of paints, solvents, oil filters and lubricants.
Similarly, the Manitoba government is following suit with a draft regulation that is largely consistent with Ontario’s approach, except that it will also include unused and expired natural health products. The Manitoba regulation is expected to be approved by government this spring following which industry will have six months to develop a program plan designed to fund similar take-back and recycling programs in Manitoba. Companies will not likely be required to pay stewardship fees until 2009. As the voice of the industry, FCPC continues to work with local, provincial and federal governments on sustainable initiatives. For more information, please contact Catherine Abel at catherinea@fcpc.ca or 416-510-8024 ext 2228.
FCPC/EPCglobal Canada meeting to review the future of EPC (RFID) in Canada
Stemming from a recent change in Wal-Mart’s Electronic Product Code (EPC)
requirements, FCPC will be hosting an information session on April 2 to review
members’ concerns and opportunities in regards to the future of EPC and retailer
requirements. EPCglobal Canada and IBM will attend the meeting on April 2 to
provide an overview of the current situation and answer any questions. For more
information, please contact Lesley McKeever at
lesleym@fcpc.ca or 416-510-8024 ext 2231.
Upcoming Events
Executive Breakfast with Jurgen Schreiber, Chairman &
CEO of Shoppers Drug Mart (April 2, 2008) - sponsored by Nielsen
Don’t miss out hearing from Jurgen Schreiber, Chairman & CEO, Shoppers Drug Mart
Inc. who has been very busy since taking the reins last year. FCPC is pleased to
host this industry visionary who will share his views on where he wants Shoppers
to go and where the opportunities lie for your business.
Information & Registration.
Everything you need to know about Marketing, Privacy,
Competition Law & Pricing in one event! (April 16, 2008)
In a
challenging market under increasing regulator scrutiny, knowing how to compete
hard but fairly can add dollars to the bottom line and keep trading
relationships productive. Competing Fairly delivers
what you need to know about navigating the difficult waters of competitiveness
regulations, category management/category captaincy agreements, pricing law, the
grey market, consumer and employee privacy and advertising and marketing to
ensure your trading relationships bear fruit. Presented by our legal partners
Heenan Blaikie and Stikeman Elliott with a special address by Richard Taylor,
Deputy Commission of Competition, Industry Canada. Information
& Registration.
Executive Breakfast with Anthony Longo, President & CEO
of Longo’s (April 23, 2008) – sponsored by Nielsen
FCPC is proud
to present industry leader Anthony Longo, President & CEO, Longo Brothers Fruit
Market Inc. Don't miss the opportunity to hear firsthand how after 45 years of
business, Longo's approaches its business and where the opportunities lie for
you. Information & Registration.
Supply Chain: Risk, Recall and Regulation in
Canada (April 24, 2008)
On April 24, FCPC is hosting a product
integrity event with the latest insights into federal safety
regulations. Health Canada and CFIA representatives headline this
not-to-miss event looking at broad issues affecting product safety.
This value-packed program spans issues including sourcing from China,
product counterfeit, track and traceability and risk assesment.
Registration is open now!
Click here to make sure you don’t miss out.
Pandemic Webinar (April 29, 2008)
On February 26, FCPC along with its industry
partners CFIG, CCGD, CACDS and CFRA hosted a pandemic table top exercise for
food manufacturers, retailers, and food service operators. Leading government
officials, pandemic experts and those who provide critical services to the
industry presented information on how they would provide support to the entire
supply chain in the event of a pandemic. FCPC is now hosting a webinar version
of the session. On April 29, participants can hear from all of the experts who
presented and be the first to obtain a copy of the report from the event.
Online registration will be available soon, visit
FCPC’s Ed Centre.
Perspectives on Canada Conference 2008 (May 15, 2008)
Employers face human resource challenges that are more complex than
ever. How will these demographic shifts impact your organization? On May 15,
join Statistics Canada’s experts as well as leading analysts and social
commentators to explore Canada’s evolving labour market. Delegates will have
the opportunity to participate in interactive panel dialogues with the experts
and identify strategies to meet the challenges of Canada’s workforce.
For more information.
Dive into a Sea of Change at 2008 National Conference – REGISTRATION OPEN
Online registration is now open for the 2008 National Conference, "Diving
into a sea of change” to be held in Victoria, BC, May 24-26. CCGD and FCPC
are pleased to announce an outstanding line up of speakers confirmed for this
year’s conference, including demographer and author, David Foot; author of
Predictably Irrational, Dan Ariely; Management Ventures, Inc’s Director of
Retail Insight, David Marcotte; motivational and corporate speaker, Tom Blake;
and social psychologist, James Maas.
Register now to ensure you are among the delegates hearing from world-class
speakers about how to navigate the sea of change before us. To register online
now,
click here or for more information, contact Devon Pool at
dpool@ccgd.ca.
Industry Stories
Your digital presence now powered by online videos
News Canada’s Digital Online Videos have been embraced by millions of
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maximize the exposure of your brands. For more information, contact
Charlene Nadalin
at
cnadalin@newscanada.com
or call 1-888-855-NEWS (6397) ext. 203.
FCPC Submission
On March 4, 2008, FCPC submitted a response to the Canadian Council of Ministers of the Environment (CCME) sustainable packaging online consultation. To review the submission, please click here (members only).
Welcome to FCPC
Johnson & Johnson Inc., becomes a member of FCPC
FCPC is pleased to announce
Johnson & Johnson has
joined the association. Johnson & Johnson is the world's most comprehensive and
broadly-based manufacturer of health care products as well as a provider of
related services, for the consumer, pharmaceutical and professional markets.
Johnson & Johnson has more than 195 operating companies in 51 countries around
the world, selling products in more than 175 countries.
Knightsbridge joins FCPC as Affiliate Member
Recently joining FCPC is
Knightsbridge, Canada’s
fastest growing Human Capital Solutions organization. Knightsbridge
provides assessment and coaching, talent attraction, organizational and
leadership development, and career management and transition to clients
across the country.
FCPC is also pleased to welcome Brenntag Canada as an Associate Member. Brenntag Canada Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Brenntag Holding GmbH & Co. KG, is a world market leader in chemical distribution and logistics. Brenntag supplies industrial and specialty chemicals as well as a variety of services to manufacturers and processors
Member News
Smucker acquires
frozen-fruit maker
J.M. Smucker Co., the biggest U.S. maker of jam and peanut butter, is
spreading out further in Canada, with the acquisition of Europe's Best Inc., a
frozen-fruit maker headquartered in Montreal. The administration of Europe's
Best is to be transferred by the end of October to Smucker's Canadian
headquarters in Markham, Ont.
Read more.
Starbucks, Hershey launch chocolate range
McCain Foods (Canada) was recently recognized as one of Canada's 50 Best Managed Companies for 2007. The national award, sponsored by Deloitte, CIBC Commercial Banking and the National Post, recognizes the 50 Best Managed businesses from a wide range of industries based on a rigorous and extensive interview process designed to assess and examine its management practices.
Read More.