Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, May 8, 2026 – Farm Credit Canada (FCC) is offering support to oyster growers and processors in the Atlantic provinces and Quebec who could face financial hardship as a result of two devastating diseases impacting oysters on Canada’s East Coast.

As producers begin their spring harvest, many fishers are reporting significant losses. Two diseases have impacted oyster production in the Atlantic Ocean in recent years: Multinucleate Sphere Unknown (MSX) and Dermo. Harmless to people, these diseases can be fatal to the mollusk.

“Ensuring the sustainability of PEI’s oyster industry is critical not only to the economy, but to the well-being and livelihoods of fishers, producers, and growers across Atlantic Canada,” said the Honourable Heath MacDonald, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food. “It’s important that we continue providing support like this to ensure those affected are supported.”

“FCC understands the uncertainty that comes with working in the agriculture and food industry,” said J.P. Gervais, ag production executive vice-president at FCC, in announcing customer support. “Unfortunately, high mortalities from these devastating oyster diseases make it difficult for producers to pay their bills.”

“While we cannot control those events, we can ensure producers have the financial flexibility and support they need to navigate uncertainty. FCC is ready to help producers keep their operations moving forward.”

Supporting food producers is core to FCC’s mandate. The Crown corporation will work with customers to come up with solutions for their operation to reduce the financial pressure caused by oyster diseases, considering additional short-term credit options, deferral of principal payments and/or other loan payment schedule amendments. FCC may offer a combination of options based on the individual needs of its customers, since each financial situation is unique.

Customers in the Atlantic provinces and Quebec are encouraged to contact their FCC relationship manager or the FCC Customer Service Centre at 1-888-332-3301 to discuss their individual situation and options.

Leaky modified atmosphere packaging is one of the most common causes of quality loss, customer complaints, and food waste in the food industry. With the LEAK-MASTER ONE, WITT Gasetechnik presents an inline leak testing system that, for the first time, combines two previously conflicting requirements: high-precision leak detection in the micrometer range and clearly traceable individual testing at full packaging speed.

The LEAK-MASTER ONE is integrated into the MAP packaging line and checks products individually (one by one) for leaks. It is based on a CO₂-based vacuum testing method with infrared sensors, specifically designed to detect micro-leaks relevant to practical applications. With a detection threshold of around 10 micrometers, the system accurately identifies precisely those leaks that gradually compromise the protective atmosphere and often only become apparent as a quality issue at a later stage.

Individual Inspection of Up to 120 Packages per Minute

This is made possible by twelve mini vacuum chambers operating in parallel, which are loaded fully automatically using pick-and-place robotics. The system achieves a testing capacity of up to 120 packages per minute, thereby enabling, for the first time, highly sensitive leak testing of individual packages directly within the running process.

The LEAK-MASTER ONE thus resolves a key trade-off in inline leak testing: whereas previously either slow, highly sensitive methods or fast but less accurate systems were used, the LEAK-MASTER ONE combines speed and precision at the individual package level for the first time.

Clear Test Results for Every Single Package

The key process advantage lies in the clear and reproducible identification of every single leaky package. Each leak is detected and documented on a product-by-product basis, enabling targeted removal from the production line. For quality assurance and production, this means fewer follow-up checks, significantly less unnecessary waste, and higher output.

At the same time, the LEAK-MASTER ONE helps food manufacturers reliably meet the contractual quality requirements of retailers, avoid complaints, and support long-term supply reliability with major retail partners. Leaky packaging does not reach the market, allowing customer losses to be more effectively avoided.

For Demanding MAP Applications

The LEAK-MASTER ONE is suitable for almost all CO₂-containing modified atmosphere packaging (excluding cases with a high oxygen content >20.9%) and for applications with high standards of process reliability and quality. Typical applications include meat and cheese products, convenience foods, fresh ready meals, baked goods, and other MAP applications.

More at wittgas.com.

Düsseldorf, Germany — 7 May 2026 — TNA Solutions introduces the next-generation packaging system, the tna robag® Quantum, at interpack 2026, engineered to help food manufacturers increase throughput, simplify operations and respond faster to changing market demands.

Since redefining VFFS packaging in 1982, TNA has spent more than four decades relentlessly innovating the robag® platform, introducing multiple generations of technology that have continually pushed industry standards forward. The tna robag® Quantum represents the next major leap in this journey, bringing a new level of performance, flexibility and intelligent simplicity to modern food production.

Michael Jonson, CEO of TNA Solutions, said: “For over 40 years, the tna robag® has continuously raised the bar in VFFS packaging through ongoing innovation. Quantum is the latest expression of that journey, built with the same pioneering spirit, and engineered for what the industry needs next.”

Responding to rising complexity in food production

As labour shortages, rising costs and increasing product variety continue to reshape snack production, manufacturers are under pressure to do more with less. The growth of smaller bag sizes and multipacks is adding to that challenge, increasing the number of packs that need to be formed, filled and moved — often without additional labour or factory space.

The tna robag® Quantum has been developed to address these pressures with a different approach to capacity. Rather than simply adding more bagmakers to increase output, it is designed to deliver higher output per tube (up to 300 bags per minute, subject to bag, film and product type), helping manufacturers reduce the number of machines required for the same production target and create a more manageable overall line configuration.

Delivering measurable operational gains

For producers, this can translate into significant operational gains, including higher output per tube, fewer machines for the same output and low product and film waste, depending on the application. By reducing the amount of associated infeed and outfeed equipment, manufacturers can also lower maintenance demands, cleaning requirements and total line complexity.

Simon Hill, Group Product Innovation Manager at TNA Solutions, said: “Snack manufacturers are under pressure to produce more packs, more variety and more value, without adding complexity to the factory floor. With the tna robag® Quantum, we are helping producers rethink high-capacity packaging by increasing output per tube rather than simply adding more machines. The result is a simpler, more efficient line that supports higher OEE, lower waste and faster routes to profitability.”

Engineered for easier operations

The new platform has been engineered around four priorities that matter directly on the factory floor: easier, better, faster and smarter. Simplified operation and a cleaner machine architecture help reduce day-to-day intervention and support faster changeovers. The system is also designed to maintain repeatable pack quality at high speed, while on-machine event management and integrated training support faster operator response and long-term performance improvement.

Crucially, the tna robag® Quantum is designed to perform as part of a complete line. Integrated with distribution and seasoning, it supports a smarter, more connected production system that helps manufacturers address labour constraints, space limitations and growing product variety without adding unnecessary difficulty.

Visitors to interpack 2026 can see the tna robag® Quantum live at the TNA Solutions in Hall 14, Stands C56 & D56, from 7–13 May.

Evan Segalowitz, Managing Director and President of MULTIVAC Canada, will be leaving the company at his own request, effective July 27, 2026, after over nine years in the role, to pursue new professional oppor-tunities. During his tenure, Evan supported the organization's continued development and long-term growth.

The company also announced that, effective July 1, 2026, Paul Marsden will assume the role of Managing Director and President of MULTIVAC Canada. Paul has more than 20 years of experience within MULTIVAC and has held leadership roles across Customer Care and Sales, most recently serving as Vice President of Sales and Marketing. His broad experience across the organization positions him well to lead MULTIVAC Canada through its next stage of growth.

As the leadership transition takes place, MULTIVAC Canada remains focused on continuing to support its customers and partners with the con-sistent service, quality, and reliability they expect.