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| Horticultural & Tropical Products Division | Return to the H&TP Home Page |
September 21, 2001
Canada Bans "Eat Fruits and Vegetables - 5 a Day - For Better Health" Logo and "U.S. Nutrition Facts" Box on Pre-packaged Fresh Fruits and Vegetables
On August 27, 2001, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) issued a memorandum prohibiting the use of the logo "Eat Fruits and Vegetables - 5 a Day - For Better Health" on pre-packaged fresh fruits and vegetables. Furthermore, the memorandum reminds U.S. shippers that the "Nutrition Facts" box is not permissible on pre-packaged produce. Starting immediately, CFIA will begin issuing warnings to Canadian receivers, and starting December 1, 2001, will begin stricter enforcement, including detention of product until the label is brought into compliance. U.S. industry contacts note it is not clear to what the CFIA objects. U.S. industry groups have written letters requesting that Canada re-evaluate their position or extend the deadline to enable U.S. industry time to discuss the issue with the Canadian government. U.S. industry representatives claim that shippers simply cannot comply with the new ruling in time to meet the deadline, and that this ruling will cost the industry millions in re-packaging costs and will disrupt the supply of fruits and vegetables to Canadian consumers.
Commerce Department to Issue Preliminary Determination on Antidumping Case Against Canadian Greenhouse Tomatoes
On September 24, 2001, the Department of Commerce’s, International Trade administration (ITA) is scheduled to issue a preliminary determination on the antidumping case that a number of U.S. greenhouse tomato growers filed against imports of Canadian greenhouse tomatoes. The original petition filed on March 28, 2001, alleged that greenhouse tomatoes from Canada were being sold in the United States at less than fair value, and were materially injuring or threatening to injure U.S. greenhouse producers. During the first 6 months of CY 2001, imports of greenhouse tomatoes into the United States from Canada totaled 33,555 tons valued at $54 million, up 21 percent in volume and 23 percent value from the previous year. In CY 2000, imports of greenhouse tomatoes into the United States from Canada totaled 48,457 tons, valued at $78 million. Greenhouse tomatoes accounted for approximately 51 percent of the total U.S. imports of tomatoes from Canada in CY 2000.
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