Kraft Heinz hits back at what it called Trudeau’s ‘misleading’ comment about its Canadian ketchup
American Ketchup Giant Responds to Trudeau’s Comments on Canadian-Made Products
A major ketchup company found itself at the center of a controversy after Prime Minister Justin Trudeau referenced its past exit from Canada in a discussion about potential trade tensions between Canada and the United States.
During a press briefing following a meeting with provincial leaders, Trudeau encouraged consumers to support Canadian-made products to avoid potential price increases on U.S. imports due to retaliatory tariffs. He specifically mentioned the switch from Heinz ketchup to French’s ketchup as an example of supporting Canadian products.
While Trudeau’s comments were based on the fact that Heinz had stopped production in Canada, the company has since clarified that it resumed manufacturing ketchup in the country several years ago.
Kraft Heinz Canada responded to Trudeau’s remarks by expressing disappointment over what they perceived as misleading statements. The company explained that after selling its tomato processing plant in Leamington, Ontario in 2014, it faced backlash and eventually resumed production in Canada in 2020.
The statement from Kraft Heinz highlighted the company’s significant presence in Canada, with over 1,000 employees at its facility in Mont Royal, Quebec, and its status as the largest purchaser of tomatoes in Ontario.
“We were committed to bringing HEINZ Ketchup production back to Canada in 2020, and we take pride in the fact that HEINZ Ketchup is made in Canada, by Canadians, using Canadian tomatoes,” the statement emphasized.
As discussions around potential tariffs from the U.S. continue, with President Donald Trump considering imposing a 25% tariff on Canadian goods, Canadian officials are strategizing on how to respond to protect local industries.
