Loblaws chief Galen Weston Jr, owner of Weston’s Bread, Loblaws Supermarkets, and Holt-Renfrew, thinks Farmers’ Markets will kill someone.
“Farmers’ markets are great. . . ,” Weston said Tuesday during a speech to about 600 people at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre, but added: “One day they’re going to kill some people though.”
Farmers’ Markets Ontario works with Ontario’s 36 public health units, each of which has a “champion” responsible for markets. It has a food safety manual on its website. In Brantford, Brant County Health Unit inspects farmers’ markets.
The CFIA manages about 235 food recalls by manufacturers, importers, distributors and retailers each year. When the product poses a serious health risk, it issues a public warning.
Spokesperson Guy Gravelle said the vast majority of recalls involve supermarkets and grocery stores, but the agency will investigate complaints linked to mom-and-pop shops and farmers’ markets. He didn’t have statistics available.
Sorry, Galen, Loblaws will kill someone before the Farmers’ Markets do. I’ll put money on it.
