Ingredient lists and allergen labelling are two of the obstacles food entrepreneurs can sometimes face when trying to get products into grocery stores. But a workshop on Tuesday night at the Food Development Centre (FDC) in Portage la Prairie was aimed at helping overcome such challenges.

FDC product development consultant Alana Henuset says mandatory labelling information can be overwhelming for food entrepreneurs, and says the How to Get Your Food Product into a Grocery Store seminar was a way to assist them.

"Sometimes the French and English (labelling) is challenging," Henuset says, "as well as, does my product meet the standard of identity established by the food and drug act of Canada?"

She says it can be important talk to a consultant before going ahead with a new food product.

"I always tell everybody the first phone call is free," she laughs. "It doesn't hurt to pick up the phone. At least we can give you a few good leads, some good reading leads from the regulatory component. Then you might want to come back to us."

A similar seminar was held earlier in November in Grandview, but if you're interested any more information on taking a food product to a retail market, FDC is the place to contact.