MONTREAL — Many Canadians prefer real ice cream versus generic “frozen dessert” products from grocery stores, according to a four-city survey released by the Dairy Farmers of Canada.
The survey, conducted by Ipsos Reid, showed 80 per cent of respondents surveyed in Vancouver, Toronto, Montreal and Halifax feel “cheated” after purchasing products made with edible vegetable oils instead of milk. According the survey, 86 per cent of respondents could taste the difference, and 92 per cent would rather consume a milk product.
Some ice-cream processors weighed in on the issue. “At La Laiterie de Coaticook, we do everything in our power to offer the consumer an old-fashioned ice cream made with the highest-quality ingredients and with dairy products made from 100-per-cent Canadian milk. In fact, milk is the ingredient we use the most in our recipe,” said Renée Filion, director of Sales and Marketing for the Quebec-based Laiterie de Coaticook. “We also have the privilege of being located in a region with over 300 dairy farms that have large grazing areas. This gives us a choice supply of high-quality milk.”As for general dessert preference, the survey revealed almost half of respondents (44 per cent) choose ice cream as their summer treat of choice.