product of Canada product of USA not necessarily so.....

December 31, 2007

Product of Canada, eh?

It says " Product of Canada " on the package, but the food is really

from China. Or New Zealand. Or...

Eating local is hot this year. Restaurant menus across the country

boast of fresh local meat and produce. Bestselling books encourage us

to take up the " 100-Mile Diet. "

Almost everywhere, there's a growing sense that it would be smart to

reduce our consumption of food that's traveled halfway around the

world.

Partly this is about flavour, and the idea that less travel means

fresher food that tastes better. Partly it's about safety: being sure

that food from where we live is subject to Canadian standards and

inspections. Partly it's about supporting farmers who live nearby.

Partly it's about using less fuel for the sake of the planet. So

there are plenty of reasons to look for the " Product of Canada " label

in the grocery store.

But here's the thing. " Product of Canada " doesn't actually mean the

food is from around here. All it means, legally speaking, is that at

least 51% percent of its production costs were spent in Canada. As

Mesley's report reveals, sometimes " Product of Canada " has been

to three continents before it lands here.

Also: Ever heard of " butteroil-sugar blend " ?

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