Canadians across the country mark Remembrance Day
Today Canadians will remember and honour the sacrifice of men and women in uniform who gave their lives in service of the country's values and principles.
Health Canada says it is preparing for the possibility that a shortage of sunflower oil could further strain baby formula supplies in Canada.
The federal agency says it's 鈥渨orking closely with manufacturers鈥 that rely on sunflower oil as a key ingredient to produce formula that still meets Canadian standards.
That includes efforts to speed up evaluation of any ingredient substitutions, noting that a switch 鈥渋s considered a major change and it must undergo pre-market assessment.鈥
Ukraine and Russia together export half of the world's sunflower oil, but the ongoing war has seen Russian invaders accused of blocking Ukrainian ports and preventing food staples from leaving.
In the meantime, Health Canada says it will extend a temporary plan to import more baby formula from Europe and the United States to bolster domestic supplies.
The plan to bring 20 infant formulas approved for use in Europe and the United States currently expires June 30. bhe federal agency says in an emailed statement that 鈥渢he interim policy will be extended鈥 but did not elaborate.
The national spokeswoman for the Retail Council of Canada says they've been told the order will be extended to Dec. 30, 2022.
Last week, the federal agency acknowledged a shortage of infant formulas designed for babies with food allergies and certain medical conditions.
A massive product recall in February led to the shutdown of Abbott Nutrition's Michigan plant, exacerbating pandemic-era supply chain woes and depleting stock in the United States.
While not as severe here, the Retail Council of Canada says its members have also experienced shortages, and in response restricted online orders and in-person purchases to meet demand.
Health Canada says the measures are all in service of mitigating further strain on Canadian formula supplies.
鈥淒ue to the urgency of the situation, and the critical nature of these products, Health Canada is monitoring the situation closely, and working with manufacturers in regards to infant formula supplies,鈥 the agency said in a statement emailed late last week.
鈥淚f additional safety or supply information is identified, Health Canada will take appropriate action and inform Canadians as needed.鈥
Health Canada introduced the interim order to extend imports March 10, in a bid 鈥渢o prevent and mitigate shortages,鈥 listing several formulas that grew to 20 by May 9 with the addition of a liquid Enfamil product.
The agency recommended that the Canadian Food Inspection Agency temporarily lift food labelling and 鈥渃omposition requirements鈥 for products from the United States, the United Kingdom, Ireland and Germany that are otherwise comparable to Canadian standards.
The Retail Council of Canada says Ottawa is working to mitigate the potential of further shortages brought on by the war in Ukraine, which 鈥渋s having a massive impact on cost of all oils.鈥
鈥淏ut sunflower oil is a particular ingredient in baby formula,鈥 says Michelle Wasylyshen.
鈥淎nd so given that we know that the war in Ukraine is likely not going to end for some time, and that the impact of sunflower flower oil will be significant on these products, Health Canada has been working with manufacturers to see if there's ways to alter that ingredient within their formulas in advance of this pending shortage so that they can get ahead of it.鈥
This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 24, 2022.
Today Canadians will remember and honour the sacrifice of men and women in uniform who gave their lives in service of the country's values and principles.
U.S. President-elect Donald Trump says that Tom Homan, his former acting U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement director, will serve as "border czar" in his incoming administration.
Researchers are uncovering deeper insights into how the human brain ages and what factors may be tied to healthier cognitive aging, including exercising, avoiding tobacco, speaking a second language or even playing a musical instrument.
Applause erupted over and over at the Canada Life Centre in Winnipeg Sunday as the son of Murray Sinclair, a former judge, senator and chair of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission into residential schools, spoke about his father.
The union representing some 1,200 dockworkers at the Port of Montreal has overwhelmingly rejected a deal with their employers association.
Since the U.S. Supreme Court鈥檚 2022 Dobbs decision eliminated the federal right to abortion, miscarriage management has become trickier and in some cases, deadlier.
A children's book written by British celebrity chef Jamie Oliver has been withdrawn from sale after it was criticized for causing offense to Indigenous Australians.
A man who was critically injured in a police-involved shooting in Hamilton late Sunday afternoon has died in hospital, says the province鈥檚 police watchdog.
In his column for CTVNews.ca, personal finance contributor Christopher Liew offers a step-by-step guide on how to make the shift from renting to becoming a homeowner, and what you can start doing today to help the process go smoother.
A congestion crisis, a traffic nightmare, or unrelenting gridlock -- whatever you call it, most agree that Toronto has a congestion problem. To alleviate some of the gridlock, the Ontario government has announced it plans to remove bike lanes from three major roadways.
For the second year in a row, the 鈥楪ift-a-Family鈥 campaign is hoping to make the holidays happier for children and families in need throughout Barrie.
Some of the most prolific photographers behind CTV Skywatch Pics of the Day use the medium for fun, therapy, and connection.
A young family from Codroy Valley, N.L., is happy to be on land and resting with their newborn daughter, Miley, after an overwhelming, yet exciting experience at sea.
As Connor Nijsse prepared to remove some old drywall during his garage renovation, he feared the worst.
A group of women in Chester, N.S., has been busy on the weekends making quilts 鈥 not for themselves, but for those in need.
A Vancouver artist whose streetside singing led to a chance encounter with one of the world's biggest musicians is encouraging aspiring performers to try their hand at busking.
Ten-thousand hand-knit poppies were taken from the Sanctuary Arts Centre and displayed on the fence surrounding the Dartmouth Cenotaph on Monday.
A Vancouver man is saying goodbye to his nine-to-five and embarking on a road trip from the Canadian Arctic to Antarctica.