SWEET AS

I used to be annoyed at the food offerings in USA. Everything is big and bland and sweet. Fruit and vegetables are force-grown and artificially coloured and, while looking attractive are generally flavourless. It is almost impossible to purchase anything that doesn't have sugar added and the extremely high percentage of processed food on offer is disturbing.

In Toronto I've been pleasantly surprised at the variety and quality of fruit and vegetables. As in New Zealand, it is best to avoid buying these from supermarkets and for freshness to use the numerous local fruit and veg shops. Generally the prices are extremely good with 'luxury' items like berries, speciality produce and exotic fruits much cheaper than in NZ.

Packaged and processed items though are a disappointment. Like in neighbouring USA just about anything you buy has sugar, corn syrup, maple syrup, honey and all kinds of sweeteners added. This is OK if it's jam or a dessert but here you find over sweetened breakfast cereals, sweet meats and bacon, sweet bread (even the wholemeal varieties), cheeses, milk products and all sorts of things that you don't expect to be sweet.

There's nothing for it, we'll have to seek out an English speciality store.