Eating

Wednesday January 23, 2019

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Wednesday January 23, 2019

New food guide set to challenge prominence of meat, dairy industries

Health Canada unveiled a radically new food guide Tuesday that eliminates food groups, encourages plant-based foods over meat and dairy products, and is likely to force changes across the country’s agricultural industry.

December 13, 2018

“I see the food guide as a challenge for many industries,” said Simon Somogyi, a University of Guelph professor studying the business of food. “How they adapt will be of interest.”

Meat enjoyed a dominant position in the previous food guide, with a meat-and-alternatives category and a recommended two to three servings daily for adults depending on their sex and age. It now features much less prominently. The new guide encourages people to “eat protein foods,” but choose those that come from plants more often.

March 18, 2016

It’s a win for plant-protein farmers, like those growing beans, chickpeas and lentils, but a potential threat to meat producers.

Somogyi believes consumers will favour high-quality beef when they choose to consume red meat, and farmers will likely want to shift to producing niche products.

If Canadians eat less meat, there may be opportunities to export to Asian markets, where a middle-class consumer wants safe, high-quality cuts.

“If the Canadian beef sector can provide that then their future looks bright,” Somogyi said.

The industry may also want to collaborate with plant-protein producers, said Sylvain Charlebois, a Dalhousie University professor who researches food. (Source: CBC) 

 

Saturday May 5, 2018

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Saturday May 5, 2018

Ontario gas prices approach record high as election looms

The high price of gasoline is a concern right now for many of Ontario’s drivers and voters, giving it the potential to become an issue in the provincial election campaign.

The average price of regular unleaded gas across the province is sitting just shy of $1.37/litre according to data compiled by the Ministry of Energy. That’s just six cents lower than the highest-ever average price that hit the province in late June 2014, shortly after Ontario went to the polls the last time.

PC leader Doug Ford is trying to convince voters that gas prices will soar even further if the Liberals are re-elected.

“We all know that paying $1.50 for gas is what would happen under the Kathleen Wynne government,” Ford told a news conference at a gas station last week. “Kathleen Wynne will have her hand in your pocket every time you fill at the pump. I can tell you, that’s not going to happen on our watch.”  

Ford says his government would bring down gas prices by ending the Liberals’ cap-and-trade program. That would knock 4.3 cents a litre off the price.

However, Ford is not promising to scrap or reduce the provincial gasoline tax, which adds 14.7 cents to each litre. The gas tax brings $2.7 billion into provincial coffers each year, with a portion allocated to municipalities for local transit. Only three provinces have a lower gas tax than Ontario.  

“We were very clear when we took action on climate change that there was a small increase in the price of gas,” Premier Kathleen Wynne said this week in response to a question from CBC News.

She argues that this latest spike is a result of market forces.  

“There’s a very significant vacillation of gas prices,” Wynne said. “It’s very challenging, it’s a private market.” (Source: CBC) 

 

Tuesday, March 5, 2013

Tuesday, March 5, 2013By Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Tuesday, March 5, 2013

Ban junk food ads to fight childhood obesity: Report

They’re calling it a crisis: childhood obesity. Here’s why. One in three Ontario children now is considered overweight or obese. Those numbers are on the rise. Now an expert panel says the Ontario Government should ban some advertising aimed at kids and force convenience stores to change their displays.

At indoor gym class for Grade 6 students at St. Marguerite d’Youville School in Ottawa’s southeast, it’s the key to a long healthy life: exercise and good nutritious food.

“To keep your body healthy is a good virtue in life especially as you gets older in life,” says student Klariza Juntilla. “When you exercise it adds more years on your life. You get to live longer.”

“We need to teach kids that junk food isn’t good for them,” adds student Warner Jaworski, “It can make them obese and you won’t lead a very happy life.”

The proof, sadly, is in the pudding. One third of our children are now overweight or obese and only 7 percent get the required amount of exercise they need.

“There is a consensus that childhood obesity is a crisis,” says Kelly Murumets, co-chair of the Childhood Obesity Panel that authored called “No Time to Wait; the Healthy Kids Strategy. “There is not a consensus on a solution” she adds. This “Healthy Kids Panel” presented its findings to Ontario’s Health Minister today, recommending the province take a number of steps to chop childhood obesity. Key among them, focussing on pregnant moms and babies before obesity becomes an issue.

“The prenatal care that women receive in an environment that allows newborns to thrive,” says Alex Munter, panel co-chair and chief executive officer of the Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario, “those two things will shape a baby’s entire future.” (Source: CBC News) http://ottawa.ctvnews.ca/ban-junk-food-ads-to-fight-childhood-obesity-report-1.1181180

Thursday March 15, 2001

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Thursday March 15, 2001

Canada bans animal product imports from EU

The federal government has expanded its ban on imports of meat products from the European Union in a bid to protect Canada from an outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease threatening to devastate Europe’s livestock industry.The Canadian Food Inspection Agency announced yesterday that it will not allow imports of pigs, uncooked pork products, some unpasteurized cheeses and dairy products, and semen and embryos from certain animals.

Canada already bans imports of beef and lamb from Europe due to concerns about mad-cow disease.

Agriculture Minister Lyle Vanclief said, “It’s the very same as we’ve been treating the United Kingdom for a couple of weeks.”

The government will also block imports of used farm equipment, which could carry the foot-and-mouth virus.

Britain has been devastated by an outbreak of foot-and-mouth, which attacks cattle, sheep, hogs and other animals with cloven hoofs.

The virus, which causes blisters on the tongue, gums, nostrils and upper part of the foot, is usually not fatal to animals but it can cause great weight loss since animals can’t eat. There is no risk to humans. (Source)