According to research presented at Digestive Disease Week 2017, an enzyme known as aspergillus niger-derived prolyl endoprotease (AN-PEP) could offer relief from gluten sensitivity.
Researchers found that by taking an enzyme tablet while consuming gluten-filled foods, patients can prevent a significant amount of the allergen from entering the small intestine. This finding could allow gluten-sensitive individuals to ingest small amounts of gluten without experiencing symptoms.
“This substance allows gluten-sensitive patients to feel safer, for example, when they are out with friends at a restaurant and can’t be sure whether something is 100 percent gluten-free,” says Julia König, PhD, the study’s lead author and post-doctoral research fellow at the School of Medical Sciences at University of Örebro, Sweden. “Since even small amounts of gluten can affect gluten-sensitive patients, this supplement can play an important role in addressing the residual gluten that is often the cause of uncomfortable symptoms.”
During the study, 18 self-reported gluten-sensitive patients ate a porridge that included two crumbled wheat cookies containing gluten. They also took either a high dose or low dose of AN-PEP, or a placebo. Researchers then measured gluten levels in the stomach and small intestine over the course of three hours.
Scientists found that in both high and low doses, AN-PEP broke down gluten in both the stomach and the first part of the small intestine. In the stomach, gluten levels in both the high- and low-dose groups were 85 per cent lower than in the placebo group. Once the food reached the duodenum, gluten levels were reduced by 81 per cent in the high dose group and 87 per cent in the low dose group versus placebo.
“Studies show that even when following a gluten-free diet, unintentional gluten intake can still occur, depending on how strict a gluten-free dieter is,” adds Dr. König. “Our results suggest that this enzyme can potentially reduce the side effects that occur when gluten-sensitive individuals accidentally eat a little gluten. We are not suggesting that AN-PEP will give these individuals the ability to eat pizza or pasta, sources of large amounts of gluten, but it might make them feel better if they mistakenly ingest gluten.”
Dr. König’s team did not test the enzyme on celiac disease patients, as even small amounts of gluten are potentially harmful for these individuals.

Last week, Loblaw Companies Ltd. reported a 2.1 per cent decline in same-store sales, while competing grocer Metro Inc. saw a 0.3 per cent increase in the same category.

During an analysts’ call, CEO Galen G. Weston noted that while competition is intense, deflationary pressures should balance this out to some degree.

In the same call, Weston also brought attention to several successes. This included an increase in tonnage growth, a continued push into the company’s Click & Collect program, and new fresh offerings at Shopper’s Drug Mart.

The pharmacy chain saw a 3.6 per cent increase in food and front store sales in the first quarter. Weston notes that new food offerings were key drivers in this success.

“Our enhanced food proposition has been performing really well, specifically within urban markets in Toronto,” said Weston. “It’s been performing really, really well in the stores where we have deployed it, specifically in the urban markets in Toronto. We are continuously looking for incremental locations to add to that proposition.”

Weston also noted that the company’s Click & Collect Internet service had climbed to 128 stores by the end of the first quarter.

In a recent interview with the Globe and Mail, Michael Medline, CEO of Sobeys and parent Empire Company Ltd., noted that the grocer will be ramping up its customer service. According to the Globe, Medline reports that Sobeys is “gearing up for the fight of his life in a business transformation he dubs ‘Project Sunrise.’”

This turnaround plan will include cutting costs, simplifying company structure, reconnecting with customers, and fixing problems in the grocer’s western division—all in an increasingly competitive landscape. Through this, Medline hopes to improve the company’s financial results. In its most recent quarter, the company reported a $30.5-million profit, compared with a $1.4-billion loss a year earlier. However, during the same quarter, sales slipped from $6 billion to $5.9 billion.

“Our results are not where they need to be,” says Medline. “We’re not messing around here. We’re going to get at [these changes] very soon. I don’t see any reason to elongate the process. I think it’s good for the customers and it’s not fair to the employees, who have been hearing about this restructuring for over six months.”

To compete in the cutthroat grocery market, the former Canadian Tire CEO plans to focus on Sobeys’ strengths of higher-margin fresh produce, meat, and seafood, as well as the Compliments private label products.

Medline also notes that he will not drop the Safeway name in favour of Sobeys, as Safeway is a valuable banner in the West. He also will not be selling these stores to rival Overwaitea Food Group, who has expressed interest in the discount banner. Moreover, Medline may consider the expansion of Sobeys’ Ontario-based FreshCo discount chain to the West, but this will not happen in the near future.

Photo Credit: Whole Foods Market

Whole Foods Market has opened a brand new location in Toronto’s Leaside neighbourhood. The 45,100-square-foot store is the company’s sixth location in the city.

In 2016, Whole Foods CEO John Mackey announced that the retailer would eventually expand its network of Canadian stores from 10 to 40. However, the grocer has since gone back on these plans, canceling store openings in Calgary and Edmonton. Despite this, reports say the company still plans to open a new North Vancouver location this year.

The Leaside location caters to upscale Torontonian shoppers, featuring a variety of prepared food options. This includes a taco station; a sandwich counter; Neapolitan-style self-service pizza; a coffee bar; freshly made sushi; and salad and hot bars with freshly prepared salads, salad ingredients, and hot entrees.

The store itself will carry 100 varieties of natural, organic, and local cheeses; fresh and sustainable seafood and shellfish; custom-cut meats; a wide variety of vegetarian and vegan choices; and natural personal care items and cosmetics.

“Whole Foods Market Leaside will be a one-stop-shop for kitchen creators, featuring the best tasting natural and organic grocery staples as well as that hard-to-find ingredient,” says Cristina DosSantos, Store Team Leader for Whole Foods Market Leaside.

The week of May 8–14 has been declared as “Naturopathic Medicine Week” across the province of Saskatchewan. During this time, the Saskatchewan Association of Naturopathic Practitioners (SANP) will be holding multiple events to inform the public about the importance of natural and holistic remedies.

“More residents of Saskatchewan are seeking science-based, valid complementary healthcare,” said Rob Muench, Mayor of the City of Humboldt, in a press release. “It is the mission of [the SANP] to provide people with the health benefits of regulated, highly qualified, leading edge naturopathic medicine in Saskatchewan … I urge all citizens of our community to cooperate with and participate in activities sponsored by this group.”

See below for a list of the week’s events:

REGINA

– That Sugar Film – Movie Screening
Thursday May 11 at 7:00 pm. 
University of Regina Education Auditorium
The movie screening will be followed by a panel discussion with NDs regarding “What REALLY is a healthy diet?”
Tickets available at The Cathedral Centre for Wellness 2146 Robinson Street OR at the door

​SASKATOON

– That Sugar Film – Movie Screening
Thursday May 11 at 7: 00 pm.
The Broadway Theatre
The movie screening will be followed by a panel discussion with NDs regarding “What REALLY is a healthy diet?”
Tickets available at the Broadway Theatre or online at broadwaytheatre.com
Other Saskatchewan Events:

– Insomnia: What’s Keeping You Awake? – Dr. Michelle Marcoux & Dr. Kahlen Pihowich
Thursday May 4 at 7:00 at Mcnally Robinson

​- Top 5 Tips to Prevent Cancer and Reoccurrences of the Disease- Dr. Amy Velichka
Wednesday May 10 at Mcnally Robinson
FREE event. More information available: http://www.mcnallyrobinson.com/event-15732/Dr.-Amy-Velichka-Naturopathic-Week-Presentation#.WP93H9LyvIV

For more information, visit http://www.sanp.ca/naturopathic-medicine-week-2017.html.

McKesson Canada, a leading supplier of automation equipment and technology solutions to Canadian hospital and retail pharmacies, has announced significant enhancements to its PACMED® Core software platform. These changes support customers, improve the efficiency of compliance packaging for patients, advance packaging accuracy, and further enhance pharmacy workflow. McKesson Canada is the exclusive distributor of PACMED® and PACVision® in Canada to hospital and retail pharmacies.
 
“McKesson Canada has developed a unique network of services, that enable us to provide hospital and retail pharmacies with a comprehensive automation offering that improves their ability to best serve patients’’, says Jean-Philippe Blouin, vice-president of Technology Solutions at McKesson Canada. 
 
In addition to PACMED® and PACVision®, McKesson Canada provides other automation products that improve efficiency and effectiveness of medication therapy including: AccuCount®, BlistAssistTM, Parata Max®, Parata Mini®, RxSafe® and VBM.
 
From product design to the sales process, through installation and on to ongoing customer support, McKesson Canada is committed to providing the best possible customer experience, while improving patient care and safety through innovative solutions. 
 
About McKesson Canada 
 
Founded more than 100 years ago, McKesson Canada is dedicated to delivering vital medicines, supplies and information technologies that enable the health care industry to provide patients better, safer care. Our solutions empower pharmacies, manufacturers, hospitals and other health care institutions by enabling them to get closer to the millions of patients they serve every single day, while contributing to the quality and safety of care in Canada. For more information: www.mckesson.ca.  

SIAL Canada is not only key to the Canadian agrifood industry, it is also a privileged entryway to the US and international markets. SIAL is now the only event of its scale in Canada, with more than 850 national and international exhibitors from 50 countries hosting over 15,000 buyers from Canada, the U.S., and 60 other countries.

SIAL Canada is the only national trade show that offers a complete range of food products under one roof to meet customers’ expectations.
Find out what you missed:

https://sialcanada.com/en/article/2eme-jour-au-sial-canada-decouvrez-en-photos-ce-que-vous-avez-manque/
https://sialcanada.com/en/article/decouvrez-en-photos-ce-que-vous-avez-manque-aujourdhui-au-sial-canada-a-toronto/

According to a CTV news report, Walmart Canada is laying off an unspecified number of employees due to restructuring.

Walmart spokesman Alex Roberton did not disclose how many employees would lose their jobs. He did note that the number is lower than the 475 that was previously reported.

Roberton added that the retail giant has also adjusted its store structure so that associates can work across the entire store, rather than in one specific department.

The Retail Council of Canada will award Anthony Longo, president and CEO of Longo’s, the Canadian Grand Prix Lifetime Achievement Award for 2017.

“Over more than six decades, The Longo Family has continued to lead by example through a strong work ethic and living its values of honesty, trustworthiness and mutual respect,” says Diane J. Brisebois, president and CEO, Retail Council of Canada. “Co-founder Gus Longo, his 17 family members in the business, and the talented senior leadership team have led the expansion of Longo’s across the Greater Toronto Area and grown the online channel with GroceryGateway.com, ensuring that, as a progressive independent grocer, Longo’s is able to meet consumers’ needs.”

Anthony Longo has acted as president and CEO of Longo’s since 1998. Under his leadership, the company has been recognized as one of Canada’s 10 most admired corporate cultures and as one of Canada’s 50 Best Managed companies.

Longo’s was founded in 1956, when Tommy, Joe and Gus Longo opened a fruit market in Toronto. Now, Longo’s employs more than 5,000 people and operates 25 grocery stores around the GTA, five “The Market, by Longo’s” stores in Toronto, and GroceryGateway.com.

The award will be presented to Anthony Longo and The Longo Family at the Canadian Grand Prix New Product Awards Gala on May 31, 2017.

Loblaw Companies Limited will be selling its gas station operations to Brookfield Business Partners L.P. for approximately $540 million. This gas station network is one of the largest in the country, and is comprised of 213 retail gas stations. The transaction is expected to end during the third quarter of 2017.

Brookfield is also agreeing with Imperial Oil to rebrand said gas station portfolio to the Mobil fuel brand. This will be the first entrance of the Mobil fuel brand into Canada.

Despite this, the gas stations will continue to offer Loblaw’s PC Plus loyalty program. Loblaw said it expects to use the proceeds from the sale for “general corporate activities.”

“In Brookfield we have a strategic partner with an experienced management team and a strong business track record,” says Sarah Davis, president of Loblaw Companies Limited. “They are committed to preserving and growing the elements of the business that matter most to our customers – high quality fuel service and convenience along with PC Plus loyalty benefits. This is a positive outcome for our customers, our gas station operators, and our company.”