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Control of Local Food Sales by Grocery Chains
Dave Lawson, a resident of St. Catharines, Ontario, expressed his frustration with misleading product labels in Canadian grocery stores. Many items adorned with Canadian imagery turn out to be imports from the United States.
This phenomenon, known as “maple washing,” is prevalent nationwide.
Amid recent tariff threats from U.S. President Donald Trump, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney reiterated the importance of “Buy Canadian” initiatives. Lawson, along with others, advocates for supporting Canadian-made products amidst the ongoing trade tensions.
One particular example that irks Lawson is Betty Crocker’s chocolate chip cookie mix, labeled as “Canada’s #1 Selling Baking Mix Brand” with a maple leaf on the front but revealed as a “Product of USA” on the back.
Marketplace conducted a scrutiny of various food labels, exposing how patriotic packaging can obscure the true origins of products.
According to Mike von Massow, a food economics expert at the University of Guelph, such packaging can be not just misleading but also confusing.
When approached about their labeling, General Mills, the company behind Betty Crocker, defended the practice, stating that their claim of being the top-selling brand in Canada is based on sales data and reflects their pride in being part of Canadian kitchens.
More details from Marketplace reporters Rosa Marchitelli, Stephanie Kampf, and Bobby Hristova.
Accessibility Challenges for Disabled Individuals at Venues
A B.C. man using a wheelchair highlights issues with accessible seating at major venues and Ticketmaster.Â
Michael Coss, a Langley resident, faces challenges attending events at Rogers Arena due to the misuse of accessible seating by individuals who may not require it.
Following a car accident in 2006 that left him with a traumatic brain injury, Coss relies on a