Latest news with #foodregulations
CBC
16-07-2025
- Business
- CBC
Manitoba woman files proposed class action against Loblaw over alleged underweight meat sales
Social Sharing A Manitoba woman, who blew the whistle on a case in which Loblaw sold underweight meat across 80 stores in Western Canada, has filed a proposed class-action lawsuit against the grocery chain over allegations it consistently overcharges for meat and seafood by including the packaging weight in the final price tag. Plaintiff Iris Griffin's claim, filed in the Manitoba Court of King's Bench last week, names Loblaw Companies Ltd., Loblaws Inc., T&T Supermarket Inc. and Provigo Distribution Inc. as defendants. It alleges that since at least 2023, "rather than weighing only the edible portion, they have included the packaging weight in the prices charged to customers." "This practice is deceptive and misleading and violates Canadian food regulations, which require accurate net quantity labelling," the claim reads in part. The court filing also alleges the companies have continued the practice, "either deliberately, or at minimum recklessly," and failed to correct the issue despite consumer complaints, media coverage and reports to the Canadian Food Inspection Agency, "at a time when many are already struggling with the rising cost of food." WATCH | No fines laid for overweighted meat: Underweighted meat prompts class-action lawsuit 6 months ago Griffin says she hopes her challenge in court holds the industry and stores accountable. "They're making profit off of the backs of Canadians, one plastic tray at a time," Griffin said in an interview on Tuesday. CBC News has reached out to Loblaw for comment. In November 2023, Griffin purchased ground beef at a Loblaw-owned Superstore in Winnipeg, CBC News reported earlier this year. The Hecla Island resident determined the meat in the package was 134 grams short and that its plastic tray had made up for the missing weight, amounting to an overcharge of almost eight per cent. Under federal regulations, net weights for packaged food used for pricing can't include the packaging. WATCH | Tip from shopper spurs CBC investigation: Grocery stores overcharge for meat by including package weight 6 months ago A CBC News investigation discovered some Canadian grocers were found to be overcharging customers, potentially by including the weight of the packaging in the cost of meat, which over time could add up to millions in profit. One of the grocers has apologized and all have pledged to address the issue. Griffin's statement of claim says her complaint to the food inspection agency did not trigger any enforcement action — including fines — or follow-up inspections. It relied "instead on Loblaw's assurance that the issue had been resolved," the claim states in part. About a year later, Griffin shared her experience as part of a CBC News investigation that found packages of underweight meat being sold in Loblaw locations, along with one store owned by Sobeys and a Walmart. Loblaw apologized for the errors at the time, saying that it had refreshed its in-store training. Following the publication of the story, a company spokesperson told CBC that Loblaw was offering a discount on selected meat products at "the impacted stores." The company did not specify which stores were involved. The court filing accuses the grocery chain of breach of contract, misrepresentation, unjust enrichment, breach of the federal Competition Act and breach of provincial consumer protection legislation in Manitoba and seven other provinces. "Loblaw's conduct violated the trust of consumers to inflate their profits," the claim alleges. "Loblaw's actions are part of a pattern of willful disregard for their customers and the law." If certified, a class action would seek general and punitive damages and restitution for affected customers in British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario, Quebec, Newfoundland and Labrador and Prince Edward Island. "Punitive damages are necessary to appropriately condemn Loblaw's actions and serve as a sufficient deterrent to prevent Loblaw from engaging in these practices in the future."
CBC
16-07-2025
- Business
- CBC
Manitoba woman files proposed class action against Loblaw over alleged underweighted meat sales
Social Sharing A Manitoba woman, who blew the whistle on a case in which Loblaw sold underweighted meat across 80 stores in Western Canada, has filed a proposed class-action lawsuit against the grocery chain over allegations it consistently overcharges for meat and seafood by including the packaging weight in the final price tag. Plaintiff Iris Griffin's claim, filed in the Manitoba Court of King's Bench last week, names Loblaw Companies Ltd., Loblaws Inc., T&T Supermarket Inc. and Provigo Distribution Inc. as defendants. It alleges that since at least 2023, "rather than weighing only the edible portion, they have included the packaging weight in the prices charged to customers." "This practice is deceptive and misleading and violates Canadian food regulations, which require accurate net quantity labelling," the claim reads in part. The court filing also alleges the companies have continued the practice, "either deliberately, or at minimum recklessly," and failed to correct the issue despite consumer complaints, media coverage and reports to the Canadian Food Inspection Agency, "at a time when many are already struggling with the rising cost of food." WATCH | No fines laid for overweighted meat: Underweighted meat prompts class-action lawsuit 6 months ago Griffin says she hopes her challenge in court holds the industry and stores accountable. "They're making profit off of the backs of Canadians, one plastic tray at a time," Griffin said in an interview on Tuesday. CBC News has reached out to Loblaw for comment. In November 2023, Griffin purchased ground beef at a Loblaw-owned Superstore in Winnipeg, CBC News reported earlier this year. The Hecla Island resident determined the meat in the package was 134 grams short and that its plastic tray had made up for the missing weight, amounting to an overcharge of almost eight per cent. Under federal regulations, net weights for packaged food used for pricing can't include the packaging. WATCH | Tip from shopper spurs CBC investigation: Grocery stores overcharge for meat by including package weight 6 months ago Griffin's statement of claim says her complaint to the food inspection agency did not trigger any enforcement action — including fines — or follow-up inspections. It relied "instead on Loblaw's assurance that the issue had been resolved," the claim states in part. About a year later, Griffin shared her experience as part of a CBC News investigation that found packages of underweighted meat being sold in Loblaw locations, along with one store owned by Sobeys and a Walmart. Loblaw apologized for the errors at the time, saying that it had refreshed its in-store training. Following the publication of the story, a company spokesperson told CBC that Loblaw was offering a discount on selected meat products at "the impacted stores." The company did not specify which stores were involved. The court filing accuses the grocery chain of breach of contract, misrepresentation, unjust enrichment, breach of the federal Competition Act and breach of provincial consumer protection legislation in Manitoba and seven other provinces. "Loblaw's conduct violated the trust of consumers to inflate their profits," the claim alleges. "Loblaw's actions are part of a pattern of willful disregard for their customers and the law." If certified, a class action would seek general and punitive damages and restitution for affected customers in British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario, Quebec, Newfoundland and Labrador and Prince Edward Island. "Punitive damages are necessary to appropriately condemn Loblaw's actions and serve as a sufficient deterrent to prevent Loblaw from engaging in these practices in the future."
New York Times
26-06-2025
- Business
- New York Times
No-Go Zones for a Sandwich in a Divided Canadian City
It all started three years ago with a sandwich that wanted to be free. In the Western Canadian town of Lloydminster, a business learned that it would break the law by making sandwiches at a supermarket and selling them a few blocks away. A ham and cheese, a BLT or a club, it didn't matter. 'If it involved meat, this is where it became an issue,' said Gerald Aalbers, the mayor of Lloydminster. 'Everything from a chub of bologna to a piece of roast beef.' In Canada, meat and other food products cross provincial lines with great difficulty. Even after being inspected in one province, they must get federal certification before being shipped to another province — an insurmountable financial hurdle for many small businesses and part of a wider system of trade rules that Prime Minister Mark Carney says hobble the country's growth. 100 miles Edmonton Lloydminster Alberta Saskatchewan Calgary British ColUmbia Canada United States 17 67 ST. Township rd. 502 75 ave. 40 ave. 50 ave. Yellowhead hwy. Lloydminster Saskatchewan Alberta 12 st. Canada 1 mile By The New York Times Ordinarily, any goods would move freely inside the same city. But because of a twist of history, Lloydminster happens to straddle the border between two provinces — Alberta and Saskatchewan — and must answer to two sets of regulations. A sandwich prepared on the Alberta side of Lloydminster could not be sold legally across the street in the Saskatchewan side without a federal seal of approval, and vice versa. Want all of The Times? Subscribe.
Gulf Business
19-06-2025
- Health
- Gulf Business
New food rules in Saudi: What you need to know about them
Image credit: Getty Images The Saudi Food and Drug Authority ( Read- Under the new rules, food establishments—both physical and online—must include detailed nutritional information on all menus. Among the key requirements is a new 'saltshaker' label for meals high in sodium, visible caffeine content disclosures for beverages, and an indication of the estimated physical activity time needed to burn off the calories in a dish. These regulations also extend to digital food ordering platforms, a According to the SFDA, the initiative is designed to promote healthier food options, raise awareness of dietary habits, and help consumers manage their salt and caffeine intake in accordance with global health recommendations. World Health Organisation (WHO) advise The World Health Organization (WHO) advises that adults should limit sodium consumption to no more than 5 grams of salt per day—roughly one teaspoon. For caffeine, WHO recommends a maximum of 400 mg per day for adults and 200 mg for pregnant women. To support both compliance and public awareness, the SFDA has made resources available. Consumers and food establishments can access a ' The full technical regulations, covering high-salt meal labeling, caffeine disclosures, and calorie burn indicators, can be downloaded from the SFDA's Holy Mosques authority urges health measures for safe worship The General Authority for the Care of the Affairs of the Grand Mosque and the Prophet's Mosque is also Worshippers are encouraged to wear face masks, use hand sanitizers, wash hands frequently, avoid sharing personal items, and stay well-hydrated, especially during peak heat hours. Visitors should also avoid overcrowding at entry and exit points and seek medical attention if they experience any symptoms. Three emergency health centers operated by the Makkah Health Cluster remain open 24/7 to serve visitors. The authority emphasized that these precautions reflect the Saudi government's ongoing commitment to ensuring a safe and comfortable worship experience for all.
Zawya
19-06-2025
- Health
- Zawya
Saudi: SFDA's new food rules to be in force from July 1
RIYADH - The Saudi Food and Drug Authority (SFDA) has announced the implementation of new technical regulations for food effective from July 1. These regulations are designed to enhance food transparency and provide consumers with comprehensive information when dining out, empowering them to make informed nutritional decisions. SFDA noted that starting July 1, 2025, food establishments will be mandated to display detailed nutritional information on their menus. This includes placing a 'saltshaker' label next to meals high in sodium as a clear guide, disclosing the caffeine content of beverages, and indicating the estimated time required to burn off the calories from a meal. These requirements apply to all menus, whether physical or online, and extend to online food ordering platforms. Through these initiatives, the SFDA aims to promote healthier food options, encourage a balanced lifestyle, and help consumers track their salt and caffeine intake in relation to approved health recommendations. The World Health Organization (WHO) advises adults to reduce sodium intake to no more than 5 grams of salt per day (equivalent to one teaspoon). For caffeine, the recommendation is not to exceed 400 mg per day for adults and 200 mg for pregnant women. To support compliance and consumer awareness, food establishments, including restaurants and cafes, and consumers can use the "Caffeine Calculator" available on the SFDA website: A copy of the approved technical regulations, which cover high-salt food labeling, caffeine content disclosure, and physical activity labeling, can be obtained from the "Mwasfah" online store: For technical inquiries or additional information, the SFDA can be reached via its unified call number 19999. © Copyright 2022 The Saudi Gazette. All Rights Reserved. Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
