There had always been about 500 to 1,000 subscribers, even though CSPI had not advertised in Canada, and the publication was not available on newstands. It is still available only by mail order. Lurking in the background is a culture some characterize as complacent when it comes to grassroots advocacy about food. Canadians have historically placed their faith in government. And Mother's Milk, and is working on an upcoming book about food safety.
Most experts agree that Canada's food supply is among the best and safest in the developed world.
Whether or not we are living with more risk when we go to the grocery store may be an impossible question to answer, suggests Powell. But there are some isolated issues that raise troubling questions. Last week, there was a sudden jump in E coli bacteria that has public health inspectors in Hamilton-Wentworth and Niagara searching for a source. Food poisoning is on the rise globally. Some bacteria that have previously been limited to veterinary medicine have crossed into human food.