Toronto-based Dufflet Pastries is preparing for a gluten-free line of desserts to launch this Fall, available in Ontario and Quebec for customers with gluten-free diets to enjoy. The company previously experimented with offering gluten-free desserts and the effort was met with success. Sales for gluten-free treats at the store has doubled since last year.

“Company feedback at all three of our retail cafes and from our wholesale customers indicated that there was a growing demand for products made without gluten—not only from our consumers with celiac disease but also from those who prefer to follow a gluten-reduced diet to promote health,” company founder Dufflet Rosenberg told Canadian Grocer. The company has converted their famous recipes into gluten-free versions that are free of artificial flavours, colours or preservatives. The desserts are also certified by the Canadian Celiac Association.

The gluten-free line of desserts include cakelets, tarts, cupcakes, brownies and macaroons.

Empire Co Ltd., parent company of Sobeys Inc., has announced a big first quarter profit that surpassed analyst expectations with a 35 per cent increase in revenue. The numbers were a result of the company recently acquiring Canada Safeway. Consolidated net earnings were $123.1 million, up from $65 million the year before. Adjusted net earnings were $131.7 million, which surpassed analyst estimations of $1.43 per share. Revenue increased to $6.22 billion from $4.6 billion from last year.

“Growth in consolidated sales in the first quarter of 35.4 per cent and in adjusted net earnings of 46.8 per cent largely reflects the impact of the acquisition of Canada Safeway combined with Sobeys’ sales and merchandising initiatives . . . ” President and CEO Marc Poulin said in an official statement. “Going forward we remain focused on completing the successful integration of the Canada Safeway business and on the ongoing promotion of our Better Food for All culture, while continuing to secure operational efficiencies and cost reductions across the organization.”

This year’s Grocery Innovations Canada show and exhibition will offer a variety of workshops for retailers attending the show. The 45-minute-long sessions will cover topics in areas like HMR, health and wellness, financial, and regulatory. The sessions will take place on September 30.

Professionals within the industry, such as McCain customer marketing manager Judy McArthur and director of insights Irene Stathakos, as well as Sherry Bentley and Mary Rutherford of the Canadian Food Inspection Agency, will be giving their expertise on areas such as retail and HMR. For more details on the sessions and workshops offered, visit the website http://www.groceryinnovations.com/delegate/session_details.htm.

Pharmachem Laboratories, Inc. has received a license from the Natural Health Products Directorate to market its Phase 2 Carb Controller with two new health claims.

These new claims state that six capsules (3,000 mg) per day assists in weight management when paired with a reduced intake of dietary calories and increased physical activity; and that four to six capsules (2,000 to 3,000 mg) per day provides support for a healthy glucose metabolism after a carbohydrate-rich meal.

“The claims are unique to Phase 2 as the particular wording for the weight management claim is a rare phenomenon for licensed NHPs in Canada. Furthermore, the glucose metabolism claim emphasizes a carbohydrate-rich meal which is valuable information to consumers as it reflects the true efficacy of Phase 2 and its intended use,” says Ryan Ramdeo, regulatory affairs associate at Dicentra, in a press release. “The weight management claim is a real breakthrough because the requirements for the clinical trials required to gain the claim are quite stringent. However, it was our belief that Phase 2 had the studies, the potency and safety to meet those requirements.”

According to Mitch Skop, senior director of new product development at Pharmachem, the ruling was “the culmination of 10 years of work with Dicentra in building a scientific monograph sufficient to earn the license. The marketing implications for us in Canada and throughout the world are extremely valuable.”

Axel Kraft International Limited will debut several new products during CHFA East, taking place in Toronto on Sept. 11 and 12.

Some of the products the company will debut include:

Alkalife pH Booster balances the body’s pH in an easy to use drop formula by alkalizing water.

Xlear xylitol products contain no added acids, clean ingredients and all the oral benefits of xylitol in delicious flavours.

Allivictus is a garlic tincture made in the Czech Republic. It absorbs in the mouth immediately without leaving any smell or taste. This product helps reduce elevated blood lipid levels and helps to maintain cardiovascular health.

Sleep Squares in herbal chocolate flavour is an all natural sleep aid that allows you to fall asleep faster and easier and enjoy an improved quality of sleep. At only 15 calories per square, these sleep aids are a delight to take.

Axel Kraft International Limited will be located at booth 1417 at the CHFA East trade show.

Join Dr. Peter Josling from the Garlic Centre in Sussex, England as he shares his passion and research on Allicin at the “Nature’s Antibiotic – Prevent Today’s Superbugs” seminar at CHFA East and presented by CLM Health Group.

Dr. Josling is a Chemist, Nutritional Researcher and author of The Heart of Garlic. He created the world’s first stabilized Allicin extract from garlic and his mission is to boost the world’s immunity using 100 per cent Stabilized Allicin using the proprietary water extracted method. Dr. Josling will share his research on how Allicin is proven to prevent Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA) in the UK (University of London) and researched in the British Journal of Clinical Phyto-medicine and British Journal of Biomedical Science.

Peter Josling, nicknamed “The Garlic King”, has authored books on the subject of the healing power of stabilized Allicin from Garlic. In 1997, Josling also formed a specialty chemicals division to provide key Garlic components including Allii, Allicin, and Ajoene for research and product formulation. Recently, he led a team of chemists and chemical engineers in the invention, development and manufacturing of the world’s first commercially available, stabilized and patented Allicin, all to carry the name Allisure as a guarantee of real Allicin actually in the products.

Whether you have ligament or joint pain due to a chronic inflammatory ailment such as arthritis, injury, surgery, over-training or hard exercise, the type of pain that reduces mobility should not be neglected, or accepted as part of aging.

If you’re in midlife, the painful truth is that if you don’t already have aching joints, one in two will by age 75. Chronic pain and restricted movement can severely affect quality of life. Yet, living with pain – and the inflammation that accompanies it – can be remedied without drugs. Nature-made powerful protectors inside many plants can reduce your pain and increase your performance.

Enerex Pain X offers a specialized blend of botanical anti-inflammatories that effectively reduce pain and inflammation. Blending eight different ingredients it brings a synergy of effectiveness, including Serrapeptase, Perluxan®, Tumeric,

Bromelain, Devil’s Claw, and Boswellia. Each of these ingredients collaborates by directly reducing inflammation, which improves circulation and our body’s ability to heal itself. Maintaining your mobility, dexterity, and freedom is important for anyone.

Best of all, Pain X works quickly. And, you will feel the difference. Back by our money back guarantee you can be confident to get relief within seven days or less. Try it today and get back to a happy and healthy life by enjoying your daily activities and a good night’s sleep.

Bob Quinn, Ph.D., founder and president of Kamut International, will be holding a product education session at CHFA East called “Putting Wheat Back in your Diet.” The event, sponsored by Kamut International, discusses Kamut Brand wheat and how it reduces the symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), among other digestive issues. Kamut Brand wheat was introduced nearly 30 years ago, and was celebrated for not causing issues even for those with sensitivities to wheat while being organic, never hybridized or genetically modified. For the past 15 years, Kamut International has sponsored several studies to analyze the difference between modern and ancient wheat.

Purica, the producers of natural health food and supplements, has introduced Menopause Relief at the CHFA East show, which took place in Toronto from September 12 to 14, 2014.

Purica’s new hormone-balancing formula has been developed to assist women in maintaining their quality of life during menopause by supporting the adrenal glands, ovaries and thyroid, and is Purica’s first product made exclusively for women. The product also manages hot flashes and night sweats, regulates mood, keeps skin youthful, reduces stress and enhances libido.

“Purica is committed to the development of natural health foods and supplements that help men and women of all ages make the most of their lives but we acknowledge that our Menopause Relief product is something special designed exclusively for women,” says Jason Watkin, founder and CEO of Purica in a press release.

A placebo-controlled, double blind clinical trial also indicated that the product promotes sleep, increases energy and helps reduce nervousness without the negative side effects and risks associated with other treatments.

“Adrenalin has more of a negative impact on women than men and adrenal stress can also upset the health and balance between the ovaries and the thyroid, weakening them over time,” says Tawnya Ritco, a Vancouver-based registered holistic nutritionist and product specialist at Purica, in a press release. “Purica Menopause Relief has been formulated to help women regain this vital balance and allow them to manage the often challenging markers of this change of life.”

The product contains a blend of hot-water extracted herbs Giant Angelica, Wilford’s Cynanchum and Sok-Dan and organic, micronized Chaga, Cordyceps and Lion’s Mane mushrooms.

“Purica Menopause Relief has been several years in the making,” says Ritco in a press release. “We’re very happy to be adding it to our family of natural health foods and supplements, particularly given that we believe it will help redefine the meaning of menopause for tens of thousands of women across Canada and around the world.”

(https://thecenturionreport.com)

According to the Winnipeg Free Press, Ottawa has banned citronella from all bug spray products due to a lack of evidence that citronella is safe for applying on human skin. The ingredient is an essential oil that is extracted from lemongrass plants. The products containing the ingredient will be removed from shelves by the end of December.

“I use citronella and many Canadians use citronella because they don’t want to use harsh chemicals,” NDP health critic Libby Davies told the Canadian Press. “Obviously, health and safety are paramount but this seems excessive.”

The decision to ban citronella has been made because there is a lack of studies confirming its safety, however, in the U.S. it has been approved by The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to be a non-toxic biochemical.