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Not long after starting this web site, we e-mailed H.J.Heinz of Canada to enquire where no sodium Heinz Ketchup was available in Canada.

After one botched reply to which we requested a more explicit answer, we were told curtly that the no-sodium version of what is arguably the world’s most famous ketchup was not sold in Canada.

Imagine our surprise when we were gifted with a bottle purchased in the United States. The label clearly states the ketchup was made by H.J. Heinz of Canada and distributed in the United States by Heinz North America, Pittsburgh.

What does this say about energetic marketing?

Go figure.

Because we’re online with our stated objectives, we discovered recently we’re not alone. No, not alien visitors but a welcome source — the Canadian Stroke Network

From Cathy Campbell of the Canadian Stroke Network comes the following excerpt from a news release amd we’re pleased to link with the Network (see “Links”)

2009 Canadian “Salt Lick Award” goes to the country’s pizza producers
OTTAWA, Feb.2 —Three of Canada’s Networks of Centres of Excellence – the Canadian Stroke Network, the Canadian Obesity Network and the Advanced Foods and Materials Network – today awarded the second annual national “Salt Lick Award” to the country’s pizza producers for loading the popular fast-food with blood-pressure raising sodium.

The level of sodium in a couple of pieces of pizza can far exceed the recommended daily intake for adults of 1,500 mg. as well as the Upper Tolerable Limit of 2,300 mg. of sodium.

In fact, so many examples of sodium-laden pizza products are available across the country that the triumvirate of health-focused networks bestowed the Salt Lick Award on the pizza industry as a whole…

The full text of this news release — a real eye-opener, can be found via Cathy Campbell at www.canadianstrokenetwork.ca

http://webprod.hc-sc.gc.ca/cnf-fce/

Belongs to Health Canada, with some valuable nutrient information including salt content. You can get a rating from hundreds of different food categories. Good hunting!

Bobbie Mostyn’s best selling Pocket Guide to Low Sodium Foods, now in its second edition can be ordered in Canada via Indigo/Chapters bookstores. That’s how I received mine from Cheryl in Windsor.

This paperback aso lists ratings for fat content, cholesterol, calories, carbohydrates, fibre, and sugar but its main drive is to help shoppers and diners out identify sodium content on product labels in stores and in oods purchased from fast food establishment and restaurant.

We long for the day when a Canadian likeness of this useful volume is published, but first we must convince the entire food chain from manufacturer/processor to retailer that the effects of high sodium content lead to high blood pressure, in turn a contributor to heart disease and strokes.

Some dieters, like Ben Viccari, are also committed to a weight gain program which calls for snacking between meals.

Kettle Potato Chips are now producing both a low-sodium and a no-sodium variety.

Bulk stores carry unsalted nuts. At John Vince Foods, 555 Steeprock Drive, Downsview, I located a fine variety of unsalted mixed nuts (no peanuts) at $6.99 a lb which even includes a Brazil or two. Also excellent, meaty, halved walnuts at $5.99.

The following infirmation has been published on the web by Campbell’s

Campbell Company of Canada is proud to have over 50 products, including Healthy Request® soups, Gardennay® soups, Prego® pasta sauce and V8® vegetable cocktails, display the Heart & Stroke Foundation Health Check™ symbol.

Health Check™ is a program designed to help you and your family make healthier food choices every day. Each product with the symbol has been reviewed by the Foundation’s dietitians for levels of fat, sodium and other important nutrients. Health Check™ dietitians evaluate each product against nutrient criteria which are based on Canada’s Food Guide. Specifically, for soups to qualify in this program, a 250 mL serving must be low fat, have reduced sodium, and be a source of iron, calcium, folate, fibre or vitamins A or C.

Stay tuned! In the near future we’re planning on introducing even more products that carry the Health Check™ symbol.

URL: http://www.campbellsoup.ca/en/products/health.asp?label=healthcheck>

Loblaws, at whose Dupont and Christie store in Toronto I visited last week has two new President’s Choice low sodium soups and a no salt added Unico canned diced tomatoes. Elsewhere in Toronto, I also found Unico no-salt-added regular canned tomatoes

While regular tomato or V-8 juice used as a Bloody Mary base can send your evening cocktail into the maxi-milligram stratosphere, the V8 people have come up with a six-pack of single mix cans clearly marked “Low Sodium” and each containing only 85 milligrams of sodium, and claiming the same nutritional fruit and veggie combo as regular V-8.

As of February 4, Loblaws in Toronto was selling the six packs at $2.99 each or two for $5.00. Ben’s tip: Squirt some lemon juice into a tall glass, followed by the V-8 and adding three dashes of hot sauce. Add ice cubes and vodka to taste. Stir and imbibe without guilt.