Food News, April 2018

 
   
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INVENTURE$ 2018
June 6 - 8, 2018 | Calgary
The event brings venture capitalists, angel investors, start-ups, entrepreneurs, service providers and thought leaders together in one unified conference to discover and share the latest in innovation, research, capital access and experiential learning. Visit the website for the latest programming news.

IFT18
July 15-18, 2018 | Chicago, IL
IFT18 is where the most creative minds in the science of food come together with purpose and vision to share and challenge one another with the latest research, innovative solutions and forward thinking topics in food science and technology. At IFT18 you will question and discover, break boundaries and redefine, be challenged and inspired. Read here for more details or to register.

Webinars
Overview of Changes to Employment Standards
April 17, 2018, 1:30 PM to 2:30 PM
This information session provides a general overview of the changes to employment standards that came into effect on January 1, 2018. Topics will include:

  • Updated key employment standards rules and entitlements
  • New rules and entitlements, including job-protected leaves
  • Changes to administration and enforcement, including what an administrative penalty system is
  • Other changes to administration and enforcement
  • Where to find more employment standards information
Register here.

Employment Standards in Alberta: General Holidays, General Holiday Pay and Vacations
April 24, 2018, 10:30 AM to 11:30 AM
This information session explains Employment Standards rules for general holidays, general holiday pay, vacations and vacation pay that came into effect January 1, 2018. Topics will include:
  • Employee eligibility
  • Exceptions for general holiday pay and vacation pay
  • How to calculate and distribute pay
  • How to address these topics when termination of employment occurs.
Register here.

Programs
Farm Energy Agri-Processing (FEAP) Grant Program
 
The FEAP Program shares costs with the agriculture and agri-processing sector on energy efficiency investments. It is designed to encourage energy management which will result in cost savings, energy conservation, and ultimately, reduced greenhouse gas emissions. This program is retroactive to April 2016 with a 50 per cent cost share on most items and maximum grant per applicant per year of $250,000. For more information, visit agriculture.alberta.ca/feap, where you can find application forms, a producer funding list, a processor funding list and program terms and conditions.

Canadian Agriculture Partnership Federal Programs
Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada delivers federal programs under the Canadian Agricultural Partnership (CAP) aimed at generating economic growth in the agricultural sector.
Developed with input from provincial and territorial partners as well as industry, federal programs and activities will focus on three key areas:
  • Growing trade and expanding markets ($297 million)
  • Innovative and sustainable growth of the sector ($690 million)
  • Supporting diversity and a dynamic, evolving sector ($166.5 million)
Application forms and guides for the six federal programs under the CAP are now available.

Food Processing Development Centre

Are you curious how breakfast cereals or puffed snacks are made?
The answer is extrusion. Extrusion is the process of transforming powdery ingredients
and water into an airy, puffed product by forcing the mix through a small die opening.
Upon release through the die, heat and pressure fully cook and puff the product upon.
The resulting puffed snacks can be seasoned to your liking. The Food Processing
Development Centre (FPDC) in Leduc, AB has a twin-screw, co-rotating extruder and
packaging equipment available for creating your own product. If you are interested in
utilizing this technology please contact us at 780-986-4793 or email ken.fahner@gov.ab.ca.

Regulatory Updates

Canada’s Food Guide Consultation – Phase 2: What We Heard Report
As part of the Healthy Eating Strategy, Health Canada is revising Canada’s Food Guide to reflect new evidence and meet the needs of various audiences who use the healthy eating recommendations. In the summer of 2017, over 6,700 stakeholders and Canadians provided input to the second consultation for the revision of Canada’s Food Guide. The What We Heard Report presents the results from the consultation. The report is now available online.

Consultations on Proposed Front-of-package Labelling
Health Canada is proposing to introduce mandatory front-of-package labelling for foods that are high in nutrients of public health concern, namely saturated fat, sugars and/or sodium and had launched a consultation on front-of-package labelling. Thursday, April 26, 2018 is the last day to respond to the official Canada Gazette, Part I consultation.

Notice of Modification for Propionates in Ready-to-Eat Meat and Poultry Meats
Health Canada has amended the "List of Permitted Preservatives" to allow propionic acid and sodium propionate to be used in ready-to-eat meat products and poultry meat products. You can access the notice to interested parties regarding recent modifications on Health Canada’s website. To obtain an electronic copy of the Notice of Modification to the List of Permitted Preservatives to Enable the Use of Propionic Acid and Sodium Propionate as Preservatives in Ready-to-Eat Meat Products and Ready-to-Eat Poultry Meat Products, contact the publications office or send an e-mail to publications@hc-sc.gc.ca.

AFPA

Food Safety and Quality Training – 2018 Course schedule, description and registration forms
Understanding the Requirements of FSSC 22000, Version 4 – May 8-9, Calgary
FSPCA Foreign Supplier Verification Program (FSVP) - May 10-11, Calgary
BRC Understanding the Requirements - May 17-18, Calgary
Canadian Ingredient Labelling - May 23, Edmonton
Canadian Nutritional Labelling - May 24, Edmonton
U.S. Food Labelling Under the FDA - May 25, Edmonton

AFPA Workplace Health and Safety
Joint Health and Safety Committee Training (part of the new legislation) – May 17 and June 20 in Calgary ; June 6, July 11, and August 8 in Edmonton.
Roles & Responsibilities for Manager – April 25, Calgary
Hazard Assessment & Control – May 15, Edmonton
Contact ed@afpa.com for all your workplace health and safety needs.


Food News is available in pdf format: (313KB)

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Alberta Agriculture and Forestry
(Dial 310-0000 for toll-free access)
Alberta-Ag-Info Centre 310-FARM
Crop Extension Section – 780-643-6249
Livestock and Farm Business Section - 403-968-6556
Local/Domestic Market Expansion Section - 780-968-3553
Processing Industry & Workforce Development Section - 403-340-7625
Safe Food Section 780-415-4570
 
 
 
 
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For more information about the content of this document, contact Lindsay Rodriguez.
This information published to the web on April 30, 2018.
Last Reviewed/Revised on July 24, 2018.