Maple Leaf Foods is launching a new partnership with the Canadian Public Health Association (CPHA) to develop a national education campaign on food safety targeted at higher risk groups, their caregivers and Canadians.

CPHA is working with Maple Leaf Foods to develop and implement a national education, primarily web-based campaign, targeted at higher risk Canadians.

"We are excited about collaborating with Maple Leaf Foods and bringing our expertise in the area of public health education to this important project," said Debra Lynkowski, Chief Executive Officer, CPHA. "We will work closely with our extensive membership of public health practitioners who provide services to higher risk populations to get the message out about food safety."

"Food safety education represents an important part of our commitment to becoming a global food safety leader," continued Dr. Huffman. "This means assisting both higher risk Canadians and the general population obtain information so that they can make good decisions when handling and preparing food."

In August 2008, Listeria was found in products produced by Maple Leaf which resulted in a Listeriosis outbreak that claimed the lives of 23 Canadians. Since then, Maple Leaf has made significant improvements in all areas of food safety, including investing over CAD20 million (US$19.3 million) to improve its food safety programme.