Grocery Trade Show In Toronto Pushes For Healthier Menu For Canadian Consumers

October 27, 2008 5:09 p.m. EST

Toronto, Ontario (AHN) - Canadians are catching up with the rest of the world in hitching on the health and wellness bandwagon. In anticipation of more Canadians opting for healthier menu, grocers are ditching junk food and restocking their shelves with gluten-free, natural, organic and allergy-free food items.

Linda Crane, a food publicist, said Sunday at the Grocery Innovations Canada trade show, quoted by the Ottawa Sun, "People are turning to the market for health... These trends affect every Canadian and the industry is listening. Even national brands are paying attention to whole wheat and probiotic in dairy."

But the healthier option must not sacrifice taste in favor of nutritional values, said Daniel Mihaila of Advantage Health Matters, which vends sprout seeds that could be mixed to meals to boost its nutritional value.

The healthier foods are not just for humans but also for pets. Dog foods at the exhibit are made of hemp and free from wheat, corn, salt and soya.

Like the U.S., Europe and other western nations, Canada is battling the battle of the bulge. Among the measures take by provincial and city health departments was to propose a ban on food and beverage advertising which aims children below 13.