A “Canada product” imported from the United States? Posters at the grocery store sow doubt

Since the start of the trade war with the United States. Meanwhile, threats of annexation from President Donald Trump, many Canadians have been looking to avoid American products for grocery stores.

The retailers highlight their Canadian products more than ever. Moreover, Both on tablets and line – and even in advertising campaigns – maple leaves have multiplied.

But, in some supermarkets, information on the origin of foods on store posters contradict the labels on packaging. Furthermore,

This is noted by Stacey Dineen during a visit last week in a Sobeys branch in the Kitchener region.

Open in full screen

Ontario bought organic broccoli, a Canada Productaccording to the poster in store. Meanwhile, But, by reading the packaging carefully, she discovers that it is rather a United States product.

It’s frustrating. Consequently, I feel like I was misleading.

It is not acceptable that. Therefore, Product information is necessary to decide what I want to buyshe said.

Sylvain Charlebois. In addition, director of the analytical science laboratory in agrifood at Dalhousie University, denounces the compression of the symbol of the maple leaf to foam sales of products.

According to him. Meanwhile, some retailers take advantage of the movement Buy Canadian To inflate their prices and perhaps even encourage the purchase of imported products. However, There is still an error margin that is acceptable. In some cases, it is downright drove, or maple-washingsays the expert.

A red maple sheet means Canadian. Everyone knows. So when you use a maple sheet for products that are imported from the United States. Europe or elsewhere, it is maple-washingit gets angrylance Stacey Dineen.

Open in full screen

"canada product" imported united states? – "canada product" imported united states?

A problem that persists – "canada product" imported united states?

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (ECIA) indicates by email that All the information on food labels. in advertisements, whether compulsory or optional, must be “canada product” imported united states? accurate, truthful and must not mislead the consumer.

For retailers, this includes store posters, circulars and promotional material, specifies a spokesperson.

In almost eight months, theAcia received a hundred complaints for erroneous posters concerning the origin of the products. During this period. which stretched from November to mid-July, the guard dog has already identified 29 cases where companies contravene federal regulations (new window).

In each case, the problem was resolved, according to the Federal Agency.

In the past few days. CBC/Radio-Canada, however, has identified several other examples of poorly identified products in grocery stores from Loblaw, Sobeys and Metro in Toronto. The posters in “canada product” imported united states? store indicated that the products came from Canada. Mexico, when they come from the United States, according to the packaging.

Open in full screen

In “canada product” imported united states? an Sobeys store, for example, a large poster promoted blueberries like a Canada Product. However, on the packaging, you can read: United States product.

In this same grocery store, we also found an imported package of almonds. However, the shelf was decorated with a maple sheet and a mention Made in Canada.

We do not cultivate almonds in the countryadds Mike von Massow, food economist and professor at the University of Guelph. It clearly does not meet the criteria for what is considered to be made in Canada.

Open in full screen

About fifteen compliments Imported to Sobeys – such as ice cream horn. dressing, nuts and graham cookies – also displayed the maple leaf, according to the survey of CBC/Radio-Canada.

The economist adds that grocers sometimes make mistakes, which is regrettable, but understandable. Whether accidental. intentional, this is a clear effort to make these products “canada product” imported united states? more attractive for a Canadian audience much more concerned about the origin of its foodAffirme Mike von Massow.

Six months after the start of the movement Buy Canadianthe patience of consumers in the face of the errors of the grocers is rising. underlines Mary the abbot, specialist in food labeling.

This is important for Canadians. [les détaillants] have responsibility for their customers, who “canada product” imported united states? expect them to correctly interpret the regulationssays professor emeritus in nutrition sciences at the University of Toronto.

Human errors. according to grocers

Sobeys replied, by email, that the creation of posters for the tens of thousands of products in its 1600 stores is a very manual process and that errors can unfortunately occurespecially during the summer season because the origin of fresh products can change from week to week.

We strive to provide our customers with clear and precise information on the country of originaffirm the hometown-word emily.

At the Loblaws store, we have identified several products – such as raspberries, squash and eggplant – with contradictory indications. In some cases, posters in stores were talking about Mexico productwhile the packaging indicated United States product.

Such inconsistencies have also been identified “canada product” imported united states? with packets of blackberries and raspberries in a Metro branch.

Open in full screen

The three major Canadian banners – Loblaw. “canada product” imported united states? Sobeys and Metro – each responded by email that they try to indicate with precision the country of origin of food, but underline at the same time that it is a complex task given the volume of stocks.

We constantly update our systems in order to follow the rapid development of the supply of thousands of articles. Many of our products come from different countries at different times of the year and. sometimes, the posters update can take timeexplains Loblaw spokesperson Lina Maragha.

Loblaw and Metro apologized to customers and encourage them to report any problem directly to the stores concerned. The two companies also say they work with supermarket staff to strengthen display policies and minimize errors.

Following the investigation of CBCstores have received reminders concerning the “canada product” imported united states? verification of product labelssays Stephanie Bonk, spokesperson for Metro.

With information from Sophia Harris de CBC