The Office of Consumer Affairs
July 2019
What's new at the OCA?
Over the past year, the Office of Consumer Affairs (OCA) has collaborated with the Internet Society and other organizations on the development of norms to secure the Internet of Things (IoT) in Canada.
As the lead of the IoT Consumer Education and Awareness Working Group, OCA has developed the Shared Responsibility Framework. It covers key messages to consumers and manufacturers of household and wearable IoT devices.
For all the details, consult the Internet Society's Enhancing IoT Security: Final Outcomes and Recommendations Report.
Spot the Sticker
Measurement Canada (MC) has launched Spot the Sticker, a new initiative that helps businesses show their commitment to charging consumers fairly when buying measured goods, like produce.
Upon completion of an inspection that shows a business' devices are measuring accurately, MC will issue them a sticker. When consumers see a sticker, they will know the business is committed to ensuring accurate measure.
Visit the FAQ on the Spot the Sticker Initiative page for the lowdown.
Accessibility to sustainably-produced foods
In a new report, Food Secure Canada explores how low-income consumers can access sustainably-produced foods in Canada. This study—funded by the OCA in 2018—focuses on the barriers consumers may face when looking to buy sustainable foods.
Findings show that the top barriers to buying sustainable foods, for low-income individuals, are income and cost. So too is the difficulty to identify such foods in stores where they shop for groceries.
For in-depth views on how to improve the accessibility of sustainable foods for all Canadians, download a free copy of Sustainable consumption for all: Improving the accessibility of sustainability-produced foods in Canada.
Food safety alerts
Looking for the latest food recalls and safety alerts from the Government of Canada (GC)? Get the free GC mobile app or subscribe to the Canadian Food Inspection Agency's Twitter channel.
Healthier grocery shopping
Here's an at-a-glance look at 5 steps to healthier grocery shopping, according to Canada's food guide.
- Be prepared. Save time and money by shopping with a grocery list.
- Fill your cart with healthy choices.
- Assess your shopping habits—see if they influence you to choose processed and prepared foods.
- Think green—use reusable shopping bags and choose products with less packaging.
- Try making an impact at your grocery store. Give them your feedback and ideas.
For tips on everything from adopting healthy cooking methods to using recipes, visit Tips for healthy eating.