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With the constant uncertainty and change that is prominent in a COVID-19 environment, it is vital that we look towards the face of this new reality and consider how we might adapt upcoming fall and winter celebrations.Undoubtedly, foods and beverages will remain at the centre of these celebrations, particularly during the upcoming treat-focused Halloween 2020 season and into the myriad of winter social occasions.

A man who attacked a Prince George convenience store clerk with a pizza slicer, nearly causing the victim to lose an eye, has been sentenced to eight years in jail, followed by a 10-year long-term supervision order.

When asked to briefly summarize her experience as the 2019-2020 NACS chair, Julie Jackowski didn't have to pause to think.

Health Canada continues to add new products to its growing list of recalled hand sanitizers, included a product is has deemed counterfeit.Hand sanitizer is an important category for c-stores and the ideal last-minute purchase at check-out.Most recently, Health Canada warned a counterfeit version of the authorized Daily Shield hand sanitizer had been found for sale at a Dollarama store in Thunder Bay.The product may not be effective at killing bacteria and viruses, and may pose serious risks to health.It also says the product is suspected to contain methanol, which is not authorized for use in hand sanitizers and could cause severe adverse reactions or death when ingested.The counterfeit version is labelled with NPN 80098979, Lot 6942; Expiry May 2023 and is sold in a 250 mL format.The agency also recently pulled two Sanix products for containing methanol: Prairie Potions' Purify Hand Sanitizer and Antibacterial Spray.Last Best Brewing and Distilling Hand Sanitizer and Rocky Mountain Soap Company's Nomad Hand Sanitizer (Lemongrass) are both being recalled for missing risk statements, in additions to containing unauthorized technical-grade ethanol.Since June, Health Canada has recalled more than 100 hand sanitizer products, often for containing unauthorized ingredients or improper labelling. For the latest recalls, visit the Health Canada website.To find out if the hand sanitizer you're selling is safe, CLICK HERE to search by brand name. 

Having 12 cases of mini eggs on hand sounds like the makings of a grandiose Easter hunt or the ultimate way to soothe a sweet tooth, but for Josie Rudderham, the confections have put her in quite the crunch.“We have joked about pouring them into a bathtub and doing a photo shoot because there is enough to do that, but really they are part of the cycle of investing in ingredients to make a lot of sales that didn't happen,” said Rudderham, the co-owner of Cake and Loaf in Hamilton, Ont.She spent the first months of the COVID-19 pandemic closing one of her two bakeries, taking on debt, laying off workers during the busy Easter season and offering curbside pickup, but the boxes remain.

Deadline for entries is October 31, 2020.

Research emphasizes the importance of hand washing and stringent in-store cleaning regimesCoronavirus may remain for weeks on bank notes and glass surfaces, such as touchscreen, according to new research from the Australian Centre for Disease Preparedness.The study, which set out to examine the "effect of temperature on persistence of SARS-CoV-2 on common surfaces" shows the virus is “extremely robust.”Polymer bank notes (like the ones used here in Canada), de-monetised paper bank notes and common surfaces, including brushed stainless steel, glass, vinyl and cotton cloth were used as substrates in this study.The research showed SARS-CoV-2 can survive  for 28 days on smooth surfaces, such as glass on mobile phone screens or self-checkout touchscreens, and plastic banknotes, at room temperature (20 degrees Celsius/68 degrees Fahrenheit), compared to 17 days survival for the flu virus.According to the scientists involved in the study, "These findings demonstrate SARS-CoV-2 can remain infectious for significantly longer time periods than generally considered possible.

Calls for the return of hazard pay are mounting as workers on the front lines of Canada's retail industry grow increasingly anxious amid rising COVID-19 cases.