Toppers Pizza first chain in Canada to offer lactose-free option
Toppers Pizza is Canada's first pizza chain to offer lactose-free cheese on its pies at all 37 of its locations.
A spokesperson for the chain said it wanted to reach a market for whom pizza wasn't an option before now: people who are lactose intolerant.
"The company's mission is to bring family and friends together through the love-generating power of a great pizza experience," said regional marketing manager Rob Mininni.
"Our customers have been telling us for a long time that they want a lactose-free option, so we're happy to be first to market in Canada and for at least the summer months."
Mininni said there are hoping to reach some of the seven million people in Canada who have a sensitivity to lactose.
"There's a big market for this (among) those who can't enjoy pizza the way they were supposed to," he said.
"We actually did taste-testing in advance of the launch. There was a bunch of us who got together in the room. We were presented two options -- the two pizzas -- and we tried them and everyone was guessing. No one could truly tell."
The Canadian Digestive Health Foundation welcomed the move, telling CTV News this is going to make life easier for many people.
"It's amazing!" said Kelsey Cheyne, executive director.
"There are roughly 44 per cent of Canadians who are lactose intolerant. Normally when someone consumes lactose, an enzyme called lactase helps break it down. But if you're intolerant, your body doesn't make enough of that enzyme. As a result, people will feel those digestive issues such as gas, bloating and stomach pain."
Cheyne said it is becoming more common as more Canadians get older.
"By adulthood, up to 70 per cent of people don't produce enough lactase to digest milk so it leads to those uncomfortable symptoms when they consume dairy," she said.
Toppers Pizza is making their lactose-free pizza available at least until the end of the summer.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
B.C. tenants evicted for landlord's use after refusing large rent increase to take over neighbouring suite
Ashley Dickey and her mother rented part of the same Coquitlam duplex in three different decades under three different landlords.
Mountain guide dies after falling into a crevasse in Banff National Park
A man who fell into a crevasse while leading a backcountry ski group deep in the Canadian Rockies has died.
Expert warns of food consumption habits amid rising prices
A new survey by Dalhousie University's Agri-Food Analytics Lab asked Canadians about their food consumption habits amid rising prices.
MPP Sarah Jama asked to leave Ontario legislature for wearing keffiyeh
MPP Sarah Jama was asked to leave the Legislative Assembly of Ontario by House Speaker Ted Arnott on Thursday for wearing a keffiyeh, a garment which has been banned at Queen’s Park.
Charlie Woods, son of Tiger, shoots 81 in U.S. Open qualifier
Charlie Woods failed to advance in a U.S. Open local qualifying event Thursday, shooting a 9-over 81 at Legacy Golf & Tennis Club.
Ex-tabloid publisher testifies he scooped up possibly damaging tales to shield his old friend Trump
As Donald Trump was running for president in 2016, his old friend at the National Enquirer was scooping up potentially damaging stories about the candidate and paying out tens of thousands of dollars to keep them from the public eye.
Here's why provinces aren't following Saskatchewan's lead on the carbon tax home heating fight
After Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said the federal government would still send Canada Carbon Rebate cheques to Saskatchewan residents, despite Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe's decision to stop collecting the carbon tax on natural gas or home heating, questions were raised about whether other provinces would follow suit. CTV News reached out across the country and here's what we found out.
Montreal actress calls Weinstein ruling 'discouraging' but not surprising
A Montreal actress, who has previously detailed incidents she had with disgraced Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein, says a New York Court of Appeals decision overturning his 2020 rape conviction is 'discouraging' but not surprising.
Caleb Williams, Jayden Daniels and Drake Maye make it four NFL drafts with quarterbacks going 1-3
Caleb Williams is heading to the Windy City, aiming to become the franchise quarterback Chicago has sought for decades.