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TORONTO - October 8, 2025:As Canada reviews national standards for food labelling, new research commissioned by the Canadian Health Food Association (CHFA) reveals that Canadians overwhelmingly want transparency when it comes to the use of gene editing in food.

CHFA is a key stakeholder currently reviewing the National Standard for Voluntary Labelling and Advertising of Foods That Are and Are Not Products of Genetic Engineering. This standard, overseen by the Canadian General Standards Board (CGSB), guides labelling practices to ensure consumers have the information they need to make informed choices.

The review currently includes discussions on a proposal to exclude gene editing from the definition of genetic engineering for labelling purposes. If accepted, gene-edited foods could be marketed as “non-genetically engineered,” despite gene editing being a form of genetic engineering. Such a change would blur the meaning of “non genetically engineered” and risk undermining the trust Canadians place in products marketed by CHFA members.

To bring consumer voices into this critical discussion, CHFA commissioned a national survey to gain a deeper understanding of Canadian perspectives on gene editing and food labelling.

Key Findings from the Survey

  • 66% of Canadians believe gene editing is a form of genetic engineering.
  • 67% say foods produced using gene editing should be considered genetically engineered.
  • 71% say it would be misleading to market gene-edited foods as “not genetically engineered.”
  • An overwhelming majority:
  • 91% believe consumers have the right to know if gene editing is used.
  • 90% say this information should be disclosed on food labels.
  • 87% want the ability to choose whether to purchase genetically engineered foods.

Why It Matters

When asked why labelling matters, Canadians cited the ability to make informed decisions (69%), honesty in food marketing (64%), and accountability if issues arise (45%). Many also highlighted the importance of respecting cultural or religious dietary choices (34%).

“This research confirms what our members already know: Canadians value transparency and expect integrity in food labelling,” said Ashley Cornell, Director of Regulatory Affairs and Policy, CHFA. “Excluding gene editing from the definition of genetic engineering would compromise consumer trust and undermine the credibility of ‘not genetically engineered’  claims in the marketplace.”

CHFA will continue to advocate that gene editing remains within the definition of genetic engineering for the purposes of food product labelling, to protect consumer confidence and ensure consistent, transparent labelling practices across Canada.

For more information about CHFA’s advocacy on genetic engineering and food labelling, visit .

 
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MoistTech Corp., the global leader in moisture measurement and control, announces it will highlight the cutting-edge IR3000-F moisture sensor at EATS 2025, booth #2437, bringing industry-leading precision and efficiency to the food sector. Taking place October 28th - 30th, 2025, in Chicago, IL, EATS will provide an exclusive opportunity for industry professionals to experience firsthand how MoistTech’s cutting-edge Near-Infrared (NIR) technology optimizes food production.

The IR3000-F moisture sensor is engineered to deliver unparalleled accuracy and reliability, ensuring real-time, continuous moisture analysis for a wide range of food products. By integrating the IR3000-F into processing lines, manufacturers can enhance product quality and consistency while optimizing oven, dryer, and fryer performance. The ability to precisely control moisture levels results in improved energy efficiency, reduced waste, and increased productivity, all of which contribute to a more cost-effective manufacturing process. Maintaining ideal moisture levels is essential for ensuring the desired taste, texture, and shelf life of foods, making the IR3000-F an invaluable tool for production facilities.

MoistTech’s non-contact moisture measurement technology is designed for seamless integration into existing food production lines. Unlike other moisture sensors, the IR3000-F is factory pre-calibrated and requires no ongoing recalibration, ensuring long-term accuracy without maintenance-related downtime. The sensor remains unaffected by variations in product height, color, or ambient conditions, making it a reliable and efficient solution for process optimization.

Attendees of EATS 2025 are invited to visit MoistTech at booth #2437 to discover how the IR3000-F enhances food production, offering the precision and control needed for superior product quality and operational efficiency.

Additionally, this year, MoistTech is proud to participate in the EATS live pet food production line. MoistTech equipment will be integrated into the production line to monitor and measure moisture content in shredded protein-based pet food, supporting real-time quality assurance. This demonstration spotlights MoistTech’s role in advancing precision and efficiency in modern pet food processing.

For more information, visit https://www.moisttech.com/applications/human-food-moisture/.

 
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Givaudan, a global leader in Taste & Wellbeing, announced the groundbreaking of its new, state-of-the-art liquids production facility in Reading, Ohio, reinforcing its continued commitment to the North American region. The new site, which will complement the Company’s existing facilities, represents an initial investment of CHF 187 million ($215M USD) and will span 24,000 square metres within a total reserved land area of more than 100,000 square metres to accommodate future growth.

“This new facility represents our largest investment in the US in many years, demonstrating the importance of the market to Givaudan and to the food and beverage industry. It is a tangible example of Givaudan’s 2030 strategy in action, strengthening our market and operational presence, extending customer reach, and advancing sustainable, innovative solutions that consumers love,” said Gilles Andrier, Chief Executive Officer.

The site is positioned for substantial growth and expansion over time, as Givaudan continues to invest in technologies and processes designed to maximize production while helping to reduce environmental impact. Over time, the new facility will create over 300 jobs across diverse skill sets, highlighting Givaudan’s commitment to fostering local talent and the sustainable growth of the economy.

"By expanding our operational capabilities, we’re positioning ourselves for future innovation as we continue to deliver tailored solutions within North America,” said Antoine Khalil, President Taste & Wellbeing. “Driven by the dedication of our employees, the new facility will strengthen our ability to help grow customer brands by delivering distinctive, memorable food experiences that resonate with consumers.”

In line with Givaudan’s purpose, the Company has also announced community and environmental initiatives related to the new facility. Plans include support to community programmes, such as educational initiatives alongside local partners. Additionally, the site will be run without the use of natural gas to further reduce Givaudan’s overall GHG emissions. The project will introduce sustainable technologies, such as carbon bed filtration.

Construction on the site is underway, with completion expected in 18 months and partial operations scheduled to begin as early as 2027. Givaudan Taste & Wellbeing currently has 17 locations across the United States and Canada.

 
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Kerrville, Texas, Oct. 08, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Applied Food Sciences, Inc. (AFS), a leading innovator in functional ingredients, announces an exclusive partnership with OleoLive, Inc. to bring a novel, high-quality olive extract ingredient, , to the global nutrition market. This strategic alliance combines AFS' expertise in market development and formulation with OleoLive’s proprietary and patented extraction technology to provide a premium, USA-based solution for brands seeking to capitalize on the growing demand for science-backed longevity and mobility ingredients.

Oligen® is the initial ingredient to emerge from this exclusive partnership, designed to capture the powerful benefits of olive polyphenols in a highly concentrated and bioavailable format.

“EVOO has long been celebrated as a symbol of vitality and health, yet the key actives, oleocanthal and oleacein, are present only in trace amounts,” said Kiley Grant, CEO at OleoLive. “Oligen® unlocks these rare compounds at scale, delivering purity, consistency, and performance never before possible. Partnering with Applied Food Sciences ensures we launch this ingredient with the strength of both innovation and market expertise, guided by our shared commitment to quality and a vision of making these unique polyphenols more accessible than ever before.”

"We are incredibly excited to partner with OleoLive to introduce Oligen® to the nutrition space," said Chris Fields, Chief Science Officer at Applied Food Sciences. "What sets this partnership and ingredient apart is the patented process behind it, which allows us to deliver a superior product with a focus on quality, purity, and most importantly, efficacy. With its USA-based processing, we can ensure a stable, secure, and reliable supply chain, which enables AFS to confidently deliver on the growing demand in today’s supply-sensitive market."

The patented processing technology focuses on standardizing Oligen® to two key active polyphenolic compounds, oleocanthal and oleacein, which contribute to a host of functional benefits. As effective COX-2 inhibitors, Oligen® is ideal for promoting joint health by supporting a healthy inflammatory response. Oleocanthal and oleacein also have benefits for heart health and longevity, making Oligen® an attractive ingredient for healthy aging formulas. With its fast onset and high bioavailability, Oligen® has an advantage over other botanical ingredients as it delivers rapid results without requiring expensive enhancers or specialty delivery systems.

About Applied Food Sciences: (AFS) is a leader in the development and marketing of innovative, functional ingredients for the food, beverage, and dietary supplement industries. Based in Kerrville, Texas, AFS specializes in creating science-backed, clean-label solutions that support a wide range of health and wellness applications.

About OleoLive: is a pioneer in advancing the extraction of high-quality, polyphenol-rich ingredients from the olive plant in olive-derived extracts. With a focus on sustainable and proprietary extraction techniques, OleoLive is committed to providing premium, natural ingredients that harness the full health potential of the olive fruit.

To learn more about Oligen® and inform your R&D team about this new ingredient for joint care and healthy aging, inquire at . Attendees visiting SupplySide Global can visit AFS for product demonstrations and samples at Booth #5730 on October 29–30, 2025, at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center in Las Vegas, NV.

 
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Regina, Saskatchewan, October 7, 2025 – The Canadian food and beverage manufacturing sector has faced slower-than-expected growth in the first half of 2025, with sales and margins experiencing pressure given the challenging trade and economic environment. According to Farm Credit Canada’s (FCC) , the sector saw a modest sales increase of 0.8 per cent in the first half of the year, but this momentum is not expected to hold, with a projected 0.3 per cent decline in the second half.

After a promising start to 2025, food and beverage manufacturers are beginning to feel the pinch of trade disruptions. FCC Economics now forecasts overall sales growth for 2025 to be restricted to just 0.2 per cent, down from the April projection of 0.6 per cent. If this holds, it will mark the lowest annual growth for the sector since 2005.

While the vast majority of Canadian food and beverage products continue to enter the U.S. market tariff-free, it’s far from business as usual for Canadian exporters. Canadian businesses must ensure thorough documentation to demonstrate compliance with CUSMA regulations, adding complexity to the trade landscape. As a result, overall food exports to the U.S. are down in 2025 and uncertainty is hurting businesses investments. 

Much of the sales growth seen so far is price-driven: sales are slowly trending up because of price increases, while the volume of goods sold is declining. Sectors with higher reliance on export markets faced more headwinds than those selling primarily into the domestic market. For example, dairy products and meat product manufacturing showed positive sales early in the year while grain and oilseed milling faced significant challenges early on due to tariffs and biofuel policy uncertainty.

“The first half of 2025 has been a test of resilience for our industry,” said Amanda Norris, FCC senior economist. “Despite the challenges, we have seen some sectors show remarkable strength, driven by sales diversification.”

There is cautious optimism for 2026, with expectations of stabilizing or even falling input prices, particularly for grains and oilseeds. The job vacancy rate in food and beverage manufacturing fell to 2.8 per cent in the second quarter of 2025, the lowest for the same period since 2015, indicating a larger pool of available workers.

There is also one potential bright spot so far this year and that is an uptick in per capita Canadian household expenditure on food and non-alcoholic beverages in both the first and second quarter of 2025. This is a positive development given the earlier concern that slower population growth would cap demand for food and beverages.

A continued strong demand for non-alcoholic beverages including energy drinks with new flavour profiles and functional ingredients is a longer-term trend and that momentum is expected to continue into 2026.

“Looking ahead to 2026, we are optimistic about the potential for recovery,” said Norris. “A modest rebound in sales, paired with stabilizing or even falling input prices are positive signs that we can build on to drive growth and profitability.”

Building a stronger Canadian economy can open up interprovincial trade opportunities for food and beverage and capitalize on Canadians’ appetite for domestic products, as mentioned in an FCC report titled 

 

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