News on Food Trends from Canada

The discovery of needles and nails in potatoes in a suspected case of food tampering earlier this year in Atlantic Canada have heightened the awareness of consumers and media alike. The latest case, reported by CBC Nova Scotia, is the finding of metal object in mashed potatoes in a Halifax restaurant.

A UK company that manufactures machines that help restaurants make fresh-cut french fries is launching into the North American market with a small plant in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island

The Prince Edward Island Potato Industry '... hasn't focused on the belly aching, financial or emotional challenges...' resulting from the potato tampering incidents, that are still unresolved. 'Instead food safety has continued to be the highest priority ...' says Greg Donald, general manager of the P.E.I. potato board.

The most recent report of a metal object found in a bag of potatoes appears to be of a different nature than previous incidents, say RCMP and the P.E.I. Potato Board.potato bag in which watch strap pin was found

On Sunday, August 9th, 2015, the potato growers of Prince Edward Island are hosting the first ever Prince Edward Island Potato Social to thank fellow Islanders and potato-loving visitors for their support in the past year.

Equipment manufacturer GIllenkirch offers an innovative solution to the Prince Edward Island potato industry after the recent scare involving needles inserted in potatoes

The potato industry in Prince Edward Island has opted to increase the value of the reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the iindividual(s) responsible for the deliberate insertion of metal objects into potatoes up to $500,000 until August 15th, 2015.

The Province of Prince Edward Island is providing additional funding support of $500,000 to the Prince Edward Island potato industry, while the federal government also offers $1.5 million additional financial assistance for the purchase and installation of foreign material detection equipment.

A research scientist at Agriculture and Agrifood Canada has discovered that naturally-occurring bacteria in soil may offer protection against late blight (Phytophthora Infestans).

Loblaw Companies Limited and Strang's Produce Inc. are voluntarily recalling certain Farmer's Market and Strang's Produce brands of Russet Potatoes from the marketplace due to possible food tampering with nails and needles.

Prince Edward Island RCMP Major Crime Unit responded to a potential food tampering incident on May 18, 2015, following a complaint that a metal object was found in a potato.

Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) has joined forces with McCain Foods Canada and the province’s potato growers in a major project to improve potato yields in New Brunswick by improving soil health.

A weak Canadian Dollar and shipping disruptions at the Port of Seattle (Washinbgton, US) could increase demand for Canadian potatoes in 2015, says a spokesperson for the United Potato Growers of Canada.


A Prince Edward Island (Canada) farm operation has pleaded guilty to failing to properly rotate its potato crop in one of their fields.

Representatives of the Canadian Government announced an investment of $1.83 million in a Canadian-led international research effort to give potato farmers a technological edge in predicting and preventing yield losses in their fields and in storage.

The investigation into a food tampering case involving sewing needles inserted into potatoes is still active, reports Prince Edward Island RCMP spokesperson, Sgt. Leanne Butler.

According to the Canadian Healthy Eating Consumer Trend Report, consumers place an increasingly high priority on health, and more are seeking healthy options away-from-home, but their behaviour and attitudes towards healthy eating are evolving.

It’s time to celebrate Prince Edward Island Potatoes this winter, because February is PEI Potato Lovers Month in Canada!