TSX: MFI
    www.mapleleaf.comTORONTO, April 8 /CNW/ - Maple Leaf Foods CEO Michael McCain will address
the Canadian Club, in Ottawa, on April 20th where he will be providing his
perspectives on "Improving Food Safety in Canada".
    Maple Leaf Foods, a 100-year-old Canadian company, enjoyed a long track
record of strong food safety performance, supported by a strategy designed to
exceed regulatory requirements and proprietary company programs. Then tragedy
struck in August 2008 with one of the worst food-borne outbreaks in Canada's
history, leaving 21 people dead and more suffering from Listeriosis. After
accepting responsibility, Maple Leaf turned its full attention to implementing
an aggressive action plan and enhancing its food safety protocols to be the
most stringent in North America. The Company's commitment to food safety
leadership, for itself and Canada's food industry, is a number one priority
commitment at Maple Leaf. Michael McCain will reflect on Maple Leaf's journey
to food safety leadership and offer his perspectives on critical initiatives
that Canada's food industry needs to embrace to preserve the safety of
Canada's food system for all Canadians.

    Maple Leaf Foods Inc. is a leading Canadian food processing company.
Headquartered in Toronto, Canada, the Company employs approximately 24,000
people at its operations across Canada and in the United States, United
Kingdom and Asia. The Company had sales of $5.2 billion in 2008.