'Veal bacon' hits Quebec stores

Saturday, January 31, 2015

There's a new kind of Canadian bacon – this time without the pork. And Quebec veal production and processing company Écolait Ltd. has begun marketing it under its new brand VIVO, a press release reports.

VIVO veal bacon is marketed as a "healthy and tasty alternative to regular bacon" and Écolait president Mario Maillet says that "other equally innovative veal products will soon be available." VIVO products are currently only sold at Metro and IGA stores in Quebec.

However, VIVO may face some difficulties. According to the Western Producer, the price of milk-fed veal in October, when Écolait first announced its new brand, averaged $445.33 per hundredweight. Maillet told the Western Producer that the high price "is good for farmers, of course. On the other hand, it increases the cost of production by $300 an animal." Écolait Ltd. is negotiating to begin distribution in Ontario and other provinces. BF