Proposed food labelling rules draw criticism
June 16, 2008
Trying to consume more local goods? Product labelling guidelines don’t make it any easier. New rules governing food labelling are already facing criticism from experts who say they don’t go far enough and will still leave consumers in the dark. Although the federal government’s proposed changes to labelling rules will force companies to indicate that a product contains foreign ingredients, they still would not have to tell consumers where the goods came from or how much of the product is foreign.
Markham partners with local food group
June 5, 2008
Markham is making moves to ensure that more of its food is locally produced. Staking its claim as the first Canadian municipality to take such steps, the region has established a partnership with Local Food Plus, a non-profit organization that brings farmers and consumers to the table to share in the benefits of environmentally and socially responsible food production.
Green grill guide
May 20, 2008
Barbecue season has officially begun for most Torontonians. Finally! Like many things we do in our daily lives, there are ways to make your summer barbeque party lighter on the planet - from your choice of grill and fuel to what you cook and what you use to eat it. Granted, a single grill probably isn’t going to ruin the environment, but when millions of people opt to cook outside, the impact can really add up. Check out our tips for greening your backyard parties this year.
Bottled water backlash
May 16, 2008
Chi-chi restaurants are now banning bottled water. How did the ubiquitous accessory become the latest environmental sin? It’s not just daft, it’s decadent. In 2007, Canadians spent over $670 million on bottled water, consuming an amazing 2.3 billion litres of it. But, if early indications of the recent backlash are any indication, what was once a fashion accessory is becoming a fashion crime.
City delays local food plan
May 16, 2008
Despite heavy pressure from Mayor David Miller’s inner circle to move on his green agenda, a committee of councillors yesterday delayed taking action on a proposal to buy more local food to serve at the city’s homeless shelters, daycares and seniors homes. The initiative, touted as a way to cut greenhouse gas emissions, was attacked by members of the government management committee, who wanted precise information on costs and benefits.
City eyes local food
May 14, 2008
Toronto is considering making it a policy to serve more local food at its homeless shelters, daycares and seniors homes as part of Mayor David Miller’s green plan. The proposal, to be debated at city hall tomorrow, contains no hard targets, but calls for the city to spend up to $100,000 this year to test food containing more local ingredients and prepared with fewer chemicals. It also says all new food contracts with suppliers must include provisions to increase the amount of local and environmentally sustainable food.
Toronto farmers’ markets
May 12, 2008
With the unofficial start of summer this coming long weekend, farmers’ markets across the city are setting up shop to bring fresh, local and seasonal food to your table - the next best thing to harvesting it yourself. Farmers’ markets provide easy access to seasonal, delicious, often organic and locally grown and raised produce and food products. Check out our comprehensive list of Toronto’s markets to find the one closest to you.
The trouble with Teflon
February 1, 2008
The ease of cooking with Teflon pans is familiar to anyone who’s ventured into the kitchen, but few of us have considered their potential health effects. At high temperatures, Teflon cookware emits at least six gases - including two carcinogens. Once released, these gases can hang around the environment forever, cause illness in humans and even kill birds.
More concern over bisphenol A
January 30, 2008
Using polycarbonate plastic bottles for heated liquids causes a frightening increase in the amount of bisphenol A (BPA) leaching into drinks, according to a new research study. Pouring boiling water into a Nalgene bottle increased BPA migration rates by up to 55-fold compared with room-temperature water in experiments conducted by a U.S. university. The finding suggests that parents sterilizing polycarbonate baby bottles by heating them in water or the microwave may be inadvertently increasing their children’s exposure to the chemical.
Get it to go green
January 10, 2008
Tired of scouring grocery store shelves for products that aren’t overpackaged? Sick of seeing your take-out lunch encased in Styrofoam? So were the founders of NaturoPack, a Toronto-based not-for-profit group that works to raise awareness, educucate and advocate for the promotion of environmentally responsible packaging. According the the Recycling Council of Ontario, Torontonians are tossing half a kilogram of packaging every day. But excessive packaging doesn’t just clog up our landfills - it exacts a heavy toll on our health and that of our planet.
