The Globe and Mail reports in its Wednesday edition that as the grocery code of conduct nears completion, Loblaw warns the guidelines could add fuel to the food inflation fire. A Canadian Press dispatch to The Globe reports that Loblaw said in a letter to members of both the steering committee developing the code and the industry subcommittee on Nov. 1 that it is worried the code could "raise food prices for Canadians by more than $1-billion." Loblaw cannot endorse the code in its current form, chief financial officer Richard Dufresne wrote in the letter, requesting a special meeting of the industry sub-committee to address the grocer's concerns. Loblaw spokesman Catherine Thomas said the draft code has "a number of challenges," which the grocer believes could risk product availability and increasing food prices. The Loblaw statement also mentioned the potential "$1-billion in costs," which Ms. Thomas said refers to extra costs for Loblaw customers. Loblaw is not the only grocer to express concern about the code. Walmart Canada said in late October that it supports initiatives benefiting customers but it is "conscious of adding unnecessary burdens that could increase the cost of food for Canadians."