Loblaw has decided to reinstate country-of-origin labels on produce signs in its stores after facing criticism from customers. The backlash began when shoppers noticed the absence of origin information on produce displays, prompting concerns about transparency in food sourcing.
Karla Hennig, a dedicated “Buy Canadian” advocate from Penticton, B.C., expressed disappointment over the missing details at her local Superstore, emphasizing the importance of knowing where food comes from. Many Loblaw shoppers in provinces outside of Ontario and Quebec voiced their discontent on social media, opposing the policy change initiated just before Canada-U.S. trade tensions escalated.
Edmonton resident Karl Mueller, upon discovering the lack of country-of-origin labels at his Real Canadian Superstore, raised concerns on social media and contacted the chain’s head office. He highlighted the significance of supporting Canadian businesses, especially during times of economic uncertainty.
Agricultural economist Ellen Goddard from the University of Alberta predicted Loblaw might backtrack on its decision amid heightened emotions surrounding trade issues between Canada and the United States. Indeed, the grocer responded to inquiries by reinstating country-of-origin information for produce and introducing a symbol for American products affected by tariffs.
While some shoppers cautiously welcomed Loblaw’s reversal, others like Mueller emphasized the impact of consumer activism on influencing corporate decisions. The initial removal of produce labelling by Loblaw was attributed to regulatory challenges and concerns about misleading customers, following penalties imposed by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency earlier this year.
Similar to Loblaw, Sobeys had also faced scrutiny for promoting imported food as Canadian, leading to changes in their labelling practices. Despite criticisms, federal regulations do not mandate grocers to disclose a product’s country of origin on signage, sparking calls for new legislation to enforce transparency in labelling practices for bulk produce.
