A few food quality and supply thoughts

TREPA is not aware of the name of the original author of this information but from personal experience we have found very similar, and even the same, issues in shopping for common household items. It is good to refresh one’s awareness once in awhile.

Good reasons to support your local Farmer’s Market and the stores that carry local goods. 

Worth reading, although I’m sure you already know at least some of this.  We thought this was very interesting. I was surprised by the “NO NAME BRAND” and “PRESIDENT’S CHOICE”, I thought they would be both the same.

Well, add Safeway brand to this list… A couple of weeks ago I bought bread & butter pickles…. they were disgusting, soft & mushy….. they were made in India. I checked a jar of the Safeway brand relish (I bought it because I wanted a tall jar), … made in India! What the heck, don’t we have cucumbers in Canada?

Anyway, I returned the pickles to Safeway, no problem there, explaining the situation, the customer service person said, “What?” — checked the label and said, “I would never dream they were made in India and I am not a pickle person although I just bought a jar to take to a function but I will bring them back tomorrow.” I told her I would be phoning head office to tell them that Safeway Canada products should be made in Canada not India.

Next day I phoned the Canada Safeway head office customer service. I had a nice, long and very funny chat with the rep. After telling my story, she asked, “Why are pickles made in India, what type of pickles were they…?” [Bread & Butter]. She said, “I just bought a jar last night being true to my Safeway brand…. but I never read the label.” She could not believe that the pickles were made in India and said that she will return them.” In awe she said, “we have tons of cucumbers in Canada.”

She said she was writing up two reports, one to Corporate and one to buyers with my concerns. We both had a good laugh when I said, “… well there is some good in this — I will be reading my Safeway labels and not assuming because it says Safeway Canada that it is Canadian produce.” I told her I will not be buying any products like this. She was really funny, then she said, “What about the relish?” I said it was comparable with other no name products and I only bought it because I wanted a tall jar to put my Bick’s relish in it but I will not be buying it again because it is made in India. She then said, “I am going to write that one up as well… I just cannot believe it!”

Now you’re telling me Bick’s is not made in Canada ….. anyone got a canner???? Time for a revolt!

Imported food we eat — Interesting & scary food info here. Look even more carefully at labels now.

Did you know, Green Giant frozen vegetables are from China and so are most of Europe’s Best?! Arctic Gardens is OK.

Never buy the grocery store garlic unless it is clearly marked “from USA” or Canada, the other stuff is grown in people poop (even worse than chicken poop).

Buy only local honey, much honey is shipped in in huge containers from China and re-packed here.

Cold-FX is grown and packed in China and is full of fecal bacteria. Doesn’t work anyway, big scam. If the country of origin is not clearly marked, Beware… if unsure, ask an employee.

Watch out for packages which state “prepared for”, “packed by” or “imported by”. I don’t understand the lack of mandatory labelling in BC, especially the produce. In Ontario, the country of origin has to be clearly shown on the item in the store; not sure about other provinces.

I go to the local farmers’ markets in season and keep a wary eye open the rest of the year.

Please read this very carefully, and read to the very bottom. It’s of some importance for all of us.

How is it possible to ship food from China cheaper — than having it produced in Canada or at least the U. S.?

FOR EXAMPLE THE “OUR FAMILY” BRAND OF THE MANDARIN ORANGES SAYS RIGHT ON THE CAN FROM CHINA …. SO FOR A FEW MORE CENTS BUY THE LIBERTY GOLD BRAND OR DOLE IS FROM CAL.

Beware: Costco sells canned peaches & pears, in a plastic jar, that come from China.

ALL “HIGH LINER” AND MOST OTHER FROZEN FISH PRODUCTS COME FROM CHINA OR INDONESIA. THE PACKAGE MAY SAY “PACIFIC SALMON” ON THE FRONT, BUT LOOK FOR THE SMALL PRINT. MOST OF THESE PRODUCTS COME FROM FISH FARMS IN THE ORIENT AND THERE ARE NO REGULATIONS ON WHAT IS FED TO THESE FISH.

Recently the Montreal Gazette had an article by the Canadian Gov’t how Chinese feed the fish… they suspend the chicken wire crates over the fish ponds, and the fish feed on chicken excrement. Canadian Government recommended and stressed NOT to buy any type of fish imported from China. If you search the internet and learn what the Chinese feed their fish you’ll be alarmed, eg. growth hormones, expired anti-biotics from humans… Never buy any type of fish or shellfish that comes from these countries: Vietnam, China, Philippines….

Check this out yourself.

BICK’S HAVE RECENTLY CEASED OPERATIONS IN CANADA — DON’T BUY THEM. Stienfeld’s Pickles are made in India – just as bad!!! But many NoName pickles are made in Canada ..

Another example is canned mushrooms. No-Name brand came from Indonesia.. Next to them were President Choice brand… Product of Canada!!

Also check those little fruit cups we give to our children. They used to be made here in Canada in the Niagara region, until about 2 years ago…. They are now packaged in China!

While the Chinese, export inferior and even toxic products, dangerous toys and goods to be sold in North American markets, the media wrings its hands and criticizes the Obama Administration and the Harper Government for perceived errors. Yet 70% of North Americans believe that the trading privileges afforded to the Chinese should be suspended!! Well, duh. Why do you need the government to suspend trading privileges?

SIMPLY DO IT YOURSELF … BUY ONLY ITEMS FROM CANADA & USA.

Look on the bottom of every product you buy, and if it says ‘Made in China’ or ‘PRC’ (which now includes Hong Kong), simply choose another product, or none at all. You will be amazed at how dependent you are on Chinese products, and you will be equally amazed at what you can do without.

Who needs plastic eggs to celebrate Easter? If you must have eggs, use real ones and benefit some North American farmer. Easter is just an example; the point is not waiting for the government to act… Just go ahead and assume control on your own.

Canadian Thermos bottles were made here for many years. Thermos sold out in the 1990’s and now the bottles, those that keep our food warm or cold are now made in CHINA. We lost—about 200 jobs!

THINK ABOUT THIS:

If 200 million North Americans refuse to buy just $20 each of Chinese goods, that’s a billion dollar trade imbalance resolved in our favour… fast!! The downside? Some Canadian/American businesses will feel a temporary pinch from having foreign stockpiles of inventory.

Just one month of trading losses, will hit the Chinese for 8% of their North American exports. Then they will at least have to ask themselves if the benefits of their arrogance and lawlessness were worth it.

START NOW and don’t stop.

Send this to everybody you know. Let’s unite and show them that we are intelligent Canadians /Americans, and NOBODY can take us for granted. If we can’t live without cheap Chinese goods for one month out of our lives… WE DESERVE WHAT WE GET!

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