News on Food Trends from Canada

The Prince Edward Island Potato Board has elected a new executive during its December 10th Board of Directors meeting. Alex Docherty of Elmwood was elected the new Chairman of the Board, succeeding Gary Linkletter, who completed four years as Chairman.

The reward being offered for information leading to the arrest of anyone who put sewing needles in Prince Edward Island potatoes has doubled to CAD 100.000

Tim Hortons Inc. (TSX, NYSE: THI) today announced the company's shareholders have approved the transaction with Burger King Worldwide, Inc. (NYSE: BKW) that will create a new global quick service restaurant leader, to be named Restaurant Brands International.

A simple potato extract may limit weight gain from a diet that is high in fat and refined carbohydrates, according to scientists at McGill University. The results of their recent study were so surprising that the investigators repeated the experiment just to be sure.

Fry theft is prevalent across Canada, which is why McDonald’s Canada introduced today the Fry Defender, the world’s first French fry security system that helps stop fry theft.

The economic importance of the Manitoba Potato Industry comes to light in a study prepared by Informa Economics, The Economic Contributions of the Manitoba Potato Complex.

The Prince Edward Island potato industry is offering a $50,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of those responsible for recent tampering incidents involving sewing needles being embedded in fresh potatoes.

Ottawa Police are warning residents to be careful handling food after the discovery of a needle in potatoes bought at a grocery store in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.

Prince Edward Island Potatoes was delighted to have Col. Chris Hadfield, former Commander of the International Space Station helping to dig potatoes on Halloween morning against the backdrop of a clear blue sky and the beautiful West River.

The market for Prince Edward Island potatoes is holding strong despite the recent reports from six Atlantic Canadian locations of needles found in potato shipments from an Island grower.

McCain Foods (Canada) is voluntarily recalling McCain brand Hashbrowns from the marketplace due to possible plastic contamination

Another potato has been found with a sewing needle inside, the Prince Edward Island RCMP announced yesterday. This is the seventh sewing needle discovered in a potato.

RCMP says metal objects were intentionally placed. Police believe all affected fries at Cavendish Farms did not leave facility.

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) is advising consumers of a possible food tampering situation involving potatoes harvested and packed by Linkletter Farms Ltd. of Summerside, PEI.

Through a partnership with Cavendish Farms, the Province of Prince Edward Island is purchasing 96 acres of agricultural land in the Barclay Brook area to help protect Island rivers and fish habitat.

McCain Foods (Canada) is unveiling a new look, new products, a new website and an entirely new approach to selling frozen potatoes.

The President of the World Potato Congress (WPC) Mr David Thompson and the Chairman of the WPC Industry Awards Committee, Mr Douglas (Doug) Harley, have announced that nominations are now being called for the 2015 World Potato Congress Industry Awards.

Canada's private potato breeders are calling for a bigger say in how new varieties are developed in Canada.