Maple Syrup Facts:

• Canada leads the world in maple syrup production and export. Our exports have tripled in less than 10 years, reaching over $100 million last year (surpassed only by frozen french fries in single commodity exports.)
• Each Canadian consumes an average of 140 grams each year. That's a total of 3.6 million kg.

Maple Syrup and Paraformaldehyde:

• Paraformaldehyde is a known toxic substance and a suspected neurotoxin. Ingestion may affect the kidneys and the gastrointestinal tract. In addition, a number of studies have suggested that use of paraformaldehyde pellets may significantly alter the health and vitality of the trees (1).
• Paraformaldehyde has been banned for use in maple syrup production in both Canada and the U.S. for more than 10 years.
• In 1999/2000, all 87 of the domestic tests of maple syrup for paraformaldehyde conducted by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) found residue of the chemical. In 2000-2001, 24% of maple syrup samples had residue.
• In July 2001, inspectors found paraformaldehyde pellets or fragments of pellets on 21 of the 50 Quebec maple syrup farms they had visited that spring.
• A Laval, Quebec firm (Produits Pour Ciments Cimtech Ltd.) and its owner, Michel Lamarche, were fined $36,000 and lost more than $46,000 in equipment after being convicted of making unregistered paraformaldehyde tablets for the maple syrup market, the second time they have been found guilty of similar charges under the Pest Control Products Act.
• In January 2000, Vermont Agriculture Commissioner Leon Graves sent a letter to his Canadian counterparts, expressing concern about the use of paraformaldehyde in Canada. Greaves promised a new Vermont testing program to ensure the purity of maple syrup.

Maple Syrup and Lead:

• Lead contamination in maple syrup has also emerged as a public health concern. Of the 25 tests conducted for lead in Ontario maple syrup in 2001, 16 showed contamination, and eight exceeded legal limits (by up to 17 times this limit.)
• Lead is a neurotoxin and even in small amounts can affect almost every organ and system in the human body. Children are especially at risk as their developing systems are particularly susceptible to lead's toxicity. Pregnant women are also susceptible and harmful effects can include premature birth, smaller babies, decreased mental ability and growth in infants and young children.