FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 11, 2003

Pinecrest students are excited to meet Minister Vanclief
Grades 5 through 8 students at Pinecrest Memorial Elementary School are in for a special treat on Tuesday, April 11th. Lyle Vanclief, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, will visit to talk about a new national Food Safety Outreach Program. The program, a joint initiative of the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA), and Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, includes the distribution of food recall and allergy alert information to over 15,000 schools across Canada.

During the school visits, the CFIA will launch some food safety computer games. The students will be the first to test out the new games with Minister Vanclief.

“This is really terrific for the students and staff at Pinecrest. Being one of the first groups to test out the new computer games is exciting,” remarks Judy Edgar, Chair of the Board. “I am proud that students in the Hastings and Prince Edward District School Board have been asked to participate,” she adds.

The outreach program is encouraging food allergy sufferers and other Canadians to subscribe to the CFIA’s food recall/allergy notices which warn consumers of potentially harmful food products. Last year, the CFIA notified subscribers of approximately 150 food recalls/allergy alerts.

For more information contact:
• Bob Cowan, Principal, Pinecrest Memorial Elementary School, (613) 393-3262
• Kerry Donnell, Communications Officer, (613) 966-1170 x2354, or 1 800 267-4350 x2354