H ow do we know where our food really comes from? Last season, Marketplace went on a mission to find out. We shopped for foods with a “Product of Canada” label and then set out to trace their true origins.
What we found was shocking. Foods labelled a "Product of Canada" had main ingredients from Indonesia, Russia, China and Vietnam. And most outrageous: legally speaking, there was nothing wrong with the label.
As long as 51% percent of production costs were spent in Canada, like packaging costs for instance, it’s considered to be a “Product of Canada” – no matter where the food is really from.
The story moved many to action, including Prime Minister Stephen Harper. In May 2008, his government unveiled new “truth in labelling guidelines” and referenced many of the products that we found to be sourced from other countries.
“It's time to tighten up the definition so Canadians know exactly what they're getting and get exactly what they want,” Harper said in a news conference.
So is that really the case? We apply Harper's new label laws to the products we looked at last year.
First up, fish products from High Liner, which are actually caught all over the world. Under the new law, instead of saying “Product of Canada,” the label will now say: “MADE IN CANADA FROM DOMESTIC AND IMPORTED INGREDIENTS."
Next up, Loblaw’s no-name chopped Garlic and Vanilla Ice Cream. Loblaw wouldn’t tell us, but the Canadian Council of Grocery Distributors said Loblaw will most likely make the labels blank. There will be no country of origin listed at all. So you still won’t know that their garlic actually comes from Mexico or California and their ice cream some ingredients come from the UK or New Zealand.
So to the makers of these products, and to the government of Canada who brought in the new law, you are busted for not making labels a whole lot clearer on where “Product of Canada” foods really come from.
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If it does not say "Product of Canada", I don't buy it. So, chopped garlic that gives no country of origin is, for my purposes, not a "Product of Canada". There is no misleading label there, if the company can't say anything nice (product of Canada), they are not going to say anything at all. In other words, if they had it they would flaunt it. Living local is the only way to go.
This is deception on the part of government merging with multinational corporations. Governments do not give a crap about citizens. I won’t be surprised if they soon bring in legislation to crush out local farmers so they can force this crap down our throats for the benefits of the multinationals. Big international pharmaceuticals ma also benefit as the population gets unhealthier.
Wendy, I'm glad you've taken exception with inconsistent labelling practices at Food Chain Stores. I shop at Sobey's. Within the last 4 months, 50% of the store has now a new Brand called "Compliments." This new brand is supplied product from China!!! This brings health concerns and guidelines. An example of this highlighted in an episode of 60 minutes about 6 months ago. As a result of something purposed from their local Food Store one of their children became deathly ill. Doctor's mesmerized that they could not find the missing link of this illness. After lengthy tests the cause of the illness came from the breakfast cereal. The doctor's went to the presumed local cereal supplier in the area only to find out that the cereal came from China. The bacteria traced back to the distribution facility in China. Incorrect or subtle labelling will escalate the rise in above stories.
what laws protect us against whether foods may contain peanuts...
many will say "may contain" or has peanuts in it....but others have no warning about using peanuts in the ingredient lists.?
Do we assume if a product does not say it may contain peanuts that it is safe for those who have an allergy?
I recently purchased lemons at Costco(Catania Worldwide) with a label that stated "Produce of USA". Imagine my disgruntlement when I peeled off the produce of USA sticker to reveal "Product of Argentina" below. We will never know where our food comes from unless we buy from the local farmers.
Wendy & Erica you are my favorites! I love the Marketplace show and your hard nosed and informative shows.
A year later and I am still wondering if there has been any progress with the government's proposed labeling "Made in Canada" law.
It is becoming more and more difficult to purchase food items when we don't know the origins of the product.
All products we purchase should have ingredients listed and the country of those sources indicated on the labels.
why has marketplace started selling ad space during their program? i liked that your stories couldn't be compromised by sponsors --or even suggest the possibility.
keep supporting local farmer's market's and try to limit shopping in big grocery chains who don't care about YOU!
thank you marketplace for another informative story.
I am appalled with the results of your latest discovery about labeling in Canada and I am sick of being scammed by our government. This is not even close to being what Prime Minister Harper promised us. Please, tell me what I can do as a concerned consumer, to force the government to go further and actually have the origin of all our foods placed on the labels.
Sure Wendy and Erica. Let's make it even more difficult to manufacture food in Canada. Tie up our food producing companies with more restrictive food labeling laws. What impact do you think that has on Canadian food manufacturing jobs? Fewer jobs for Canadians.
Your initiative makes it easier to manufacture food and export it to Canada than produce in here.
Sorry, but you are most certainly wrong! Shame on you.
I beleive if the food is safely inspected and properly handled from the processer to my table it should not be concern which country every ingredient came from. You sensationalize your story to the point of creating unnecessary panic and paranoia in the general public.We are a country that exports and imports as a way of life, we don't want to consume only made in Canada products, what will that do for our export products, create an atmosphere where no one wants our products because we won't import theirs. Tell Canadians what the price of our food would be if it were fully 100% Canadian, can they afford that grocery bill? Lets be honest, you created a story where there was non to tell other than the labelling laws that are the governement's responsibility. To name High liner and Loblaws as examples of mislabling companies is so wrong. they have broken no laws and you seem to forget how many Canadians they employ providing us with safe,affordable food.
We deserve to know where our food comes from ..Keep up the great work. Keep them honest .
You are now our watchdogs, Wendy and Erica. I hope you will not give up on this particular story and keep bugging the government to do what Canadians want them to do on this topic, protect what we put into our bodies. We try to do what is best for our families but we need clear and truthful information to make informed decision.
Great program. Margaret Lynas
I am sorry I missed the show on the topic of labelling. I read every single label and have known for a long time that the chopped garlic is not locally grown garlic - - even the fresh garlic in the produce section is from China. I can't even imagine what "minced fish" means - - could be anything from anywhere - - would never put it in my mouth. Our government doesn't seem to be doing much else so why can't they get on the band wagon and get our food labelled to what it "really" is.
I was amazed but certainly NOT surprised by the program. Just another typical 'saving face' tactic by the Government (and politicans in general) to not back up what they say.
How truly sad.. for us the consumers!!!
Keep up the great work and enjoy the informative program!
Shame on the food processors and the grocery chains. Have they no pride? The laws change and they have a team of marketers and lawyers trying to figure out the best way to deceive the public.
There is no clear guide line what an IMPROVE labelling means, people can play semantics big time. also, what is the date of compliance? The different between a dream and a goal is the TIME LINE.
I am appalled. Keep investigating, please.
Thank you for the great work and bringing this to the public. I think this is important.
This is a mirror image of the government we previously have. All talk and no substance. Surely in a country of 35 million we can find someone who isn't a complete idiot.
WHAT DO YOU EXPECT OF POITICIANS AND BUSINESS, WE SHOULD BE AWARE OF THESE TWO BODIES BIG BUSINESS. BIG BROTHER IS HERE/
CYNICAL AND ANGRY
D PARKER
STRATFORD ONT
Thank you for the item on still unsatisfactory Canadian food labelling. Loblaws, Highliner and their competitors need to clearly understand that such deceptions drive increasingly vigilant food shoppers away from their products. This is unwise marketing practise.
welcome back- great story[ies].Best consumer show ever! have been a fan since day 1. f.d.hansen
Certainly no surprise here. PM Harper says one thing and over a long period of time nothing gets done. Even an issue as simple as informing Canadians about where our food comes from, he can't even make the food companies correct the print on a can of apple juice. Pretty sad leadership! One would think that he and his cronies must admit, at least to themselves, that they have absolutely no backbone to stand up to the food lobby group or any lobby group for that matter. Personally, I do not even listen to his jibberish anymore for that very reason.
No I don't feel the new labeling system goes far enough I think it's actually harder now than before.!
I'm sorry but on my last comment sent in I missed thanking marketplace for the great
job and keep it up
Thanks Eric
At a time like we are in now it is a shame that from one side of a politicians mouth we are asked to buy local to save energy and to keep jobs local ; and out of the other side they tell the multinational corporations (that give them financial support) that they do not need to inform consumers where there products come from or whether there products contain anything controversial ; like G.M.O.. How can a consumer make an informed decision without the right information. When are we going to get politicians that aren't puppets to be swayed by a few greedy corporations whose interference affects all Canadians now and for future generations.
Yours Truly Eric Lewis
I work at my brother in laws Tilapia farm in Merville on Vancouver Island, Red Fish Ranch ,
and he might have to "sell the farm" because of government bureaucracy . its not right