For the first nine months of 2009, net earnings were C$30.23 million, or C$0.23 per diluted share, compared to a net loss of C$22.28 million, or C$0.18 per diluted share, for the corresponding period of 2008.

Sales for the first nine months of 2008 were C$3.89 billion, compared to $3.9 billion, for the first nine months of 2008.

Michael McCain, president and CEO of Maple Leaf Foods, said: "Our third quarter results showed a very material increase in profitability compared to last year and prior historical levels and we are very pleased with this significant progress. We benefited from the core strength of our bakery business, combined with substantial recovery in our packaged meats business.

"The sustainable earnings improvements from the protein restructuring implemented over the past three years are now more visible in our results. While we are making great progress, we still have to complete the work underway to fuel higher growth and margins consistent with our consumer packaged goods peer group."

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MISSISSAUGA, ON, Oct. 22 /CNW/ - Leaders across the Canadian food industry and government are coming together to share information and learn about emerging technologies and science, in order to produce safer food for Canadians. The food safety symposium entitled "Enhancing Our Knowledge and Capabilities to Produce Safer Food" is the first gathering of its kind since the new Canadian Listeria policy was put into place after the lessons learned from last year's Listeria crisis. Hosted by Maple Leaf Foods, it will involve representatives from the Canadian food industry, government and the research community.

"The Canadian food industry is united that food safety not be used as a competitive advantage. Every member at every step in the production process is a steward of food safety," said Dr. Randall Huffman, Chief Food Safety Officer for Maple Leaf Foods. "This spirit of cooperation heralds a new beginning for our industry, and together we will make Canada the gold standard for food safety. This symposium is the first in a series to ensure we share experiences and knowledge, and gain insights into emerging risks, technology advances and cutting edge science that can deliver safer food for Canadians."

The symposium features presentations from Canada's leading health and regulatory experts including Jane Billings, Senior Assistant Deputy Minister, Public Health Agency of Canada, who will discuss foodborne illness trends and public health initiatives in Canada. Dr. Brian Evans, Executive Vice President, Canadian Food Inspection Agency, (CFIA) will discuss his agency's regulatory approach and provide an update on actions taken related to Listeria. Global experts in communication, detection and control will present the latest findings in testing and use of antimicrobials to build an effective Listeria management program, and discuss how to effectively communicate risk.

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

    <<
    Maple Leaf Food Safety Symposium Presenters

    Jane Billings, Senior Assistant Deputy Minister, Public Health Agency
    of Canada

    Dr. Brian Evans, Executive Vice President, Canadian Food Inspection
    Agency

    Dr. Kathy Glass, Associate Director, Food Research Institute,
    University of Wisconsin

    Dr. Peter Sandman, Risk Communications Consultant

    Dr. Martin Wiedmann, Associate Professor, Department of Food Science,
    Cornell University

    Dr. Randall Huffman , Chief Food Safety Officer, Maple Leaf Foods

    Iain Stewart, Senior Vice President, Transformation & Food Safety,
    Maple Leaf Consumer Foods
    >>

SOURCE: Maple Leaf Foods Inc.

Media Contact: Linda Smith, (416) 457-1814

If you are unable to participate, the webcast will be archived and available on the Company's website at www.mapleleaf.com under the Financial Reporting section.

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

(Minimum Requirements to listen to broadcast: The Windows Media Player software, downloadable free from http://www.microsoft.com/windows/windowsmedia/EN/default.asp and at least a 28.8Kbps connection to the Internet. If you experience problems listening to the broadcast, send an email to webcastsupport@tfprn.com).

SOURCE Maple Leaf Foods Inc.

Expected next investor conference call information:
Conference Call Date: 7/29/2009
Conference Call Time (ET): 2:30 PM
Conference Call URL: http://investor.mapleleaf.ca

Expected next dividend:
Dividend Announcement Date: 7/28/2009
Dividend Record Date: 9/8/2009
Dividend Pay Date: 9/30/2009
Dividend Amount: 0.037011