A new challenger has entered the Canadian plant-based protein arena. Health Canada has officially given Impossible Foods clearance to sell its products in the Canadian market. While the company is currently in close competition with Beyond Meat elsewhere in the world, many wonder if the company’s Canadian launch will be too late to impede the Beyond Meat monopoly.
The two-month waiting period imposed by Health Canada on Canadian dispensaries has come to an end and a new era of legal cannabis edibles has officially arrived in Alberta. Many retailers across the province began receiving their first shipments of cannabis-infused chocolates, candies, and mints earlier this week, and while the anticipation seemed to indicate that demand would outweigh the initial supply, several dispensaries have reported relatively lackluster sales.
Here are five stories you might have missed in food news this week.
Legal cannabis edibles now available in Alberta
Although cannabis-infused edibles have technically been legal since October, due to the waiting period imposed by Health Canada, many Alberta dispensaries have just begun receiving their first shipments this week. While many expected the initial demand to outweigh the supply, some retailers have reported selling far fewer than its dried flower counterpart.
Find out more at the Calgary Herald.
Impossible Foods to launch in Canada
Health Canada has officially given Impossible Foods clearance to sell its plant-based products in the Canadian market. Although Beyond Meat has been operating in Canada since 2018, Impossible Foods faced much stricter regulatory scrutiny due to the ingredients it uses to replicate the taste and texture of meat. While Beyond Meat currently has a stranglehold over Canada’s plant-based protein market, many believe the entry of Impossible Foods will create a two-way battle similar to that of the U.S. market.
Get the full breakdown from The Star.
Syrian refugee chocolatier receives Canadian citizenship
A Syrian refugee who came to Canada after bombs destroyed his chocolate factory passed the Canadian citizenship test this week with a perfect score. In his five years in Canada, Tareq Hadhad built Peace By Chocolate, which ships specialty treats across the globe from the small town of Antigonish, Nova Scotia. Hadhad hopes that by spreading messages of peace, love, and inclusion, Peace By Chocolate can become one of the nation’s biggest chocolate companies in the next five years.
Find out more at CTV News.
Cape Breton restaurant fills a year's worth of reservations in one minute
Thanks in large part to a highly successful 2019 that included a spot on Food and Wine magazine’s 10 Best and Uniquely Canadian Restaurants list, Cape Breton restaurant The Bite House has caught the attention of the global food community. Ater opening online reservations for the new year, the 12-seat restaurant filled an entire year’s worth of bookings in just one minute. Despite the incredibly high demand, The Bite House does not intend to make any big changes to the menu or the restaurant’s space.
Get the full story at CBC News.
Gladys Bourdain passes away at 85
Gladys Bourdain, mother of world famous chef, writer and television host Anthony, passed away last weekend at a hospice facility in the Bronx. Her impact on the food world and beyond was undeniable. In addition to kickstarting the career of Anthony, Gladys profiled Julia Child in 1978 for the New York Times and contributed to other esteemed publications like Opera News and Musical America throughout her career.
Head to the New York Times for more.
