In Canada, consumers have been grappling with rising prices and a shortage of cottage cheese. This issue has become particularly pronounced in recent months, driven by a surge in demand for protein-rich foods. Reports from grocery stores indicate that many Canadians are struggling to find cottage cheese on store shelves, with some even expressing frustration over the exorbitant prices being charged. According to Sylvain Charlebois, the director of Dalhousie University's Agri-Food Analytics Lab, the combination of heightened demand and previous supply chain disruptions has led to this troubling situation. The recent popularity of cottage cheese can be traced back to the broader dietary trend favouring high-protein products. The TikTok trend surrounding cottage cheese has played a significant role in its resurgence, leading consumers to rediscover its versatility and nutritional benefits. This increased interest has resulted in manufacturers and retailers struggling to keep up with the demand. Reports from major grocery chains, such as Metro and Loblaw, indicate that the rise in cottage cheese popularity has led to supply shortages. Additionally, the Agropur plant in Amqui, known for producing Sealtest cottage cheese, faced operational challenges due to a labour dispute, further exacerbating the supply issues. As a result, some consumers have reported empty dairy cases when searching for cottage cheese, while other dairy products like sour cream and cream cheese remain readily available. The situation highlights the fragility of food supply chains and underscores the influence of social media on consumer behaviour. Manufacturers have acknowledged the impact of this trend, with companies like Gay Lea stating that they are striving to meet the increased demand while some brands, such as Organic Meadow, were forced to discontinue their cottage cheese product due to capacity constraints. Overall, this surge in demand for cottage cheese has raised concerns about supply sustainability and pricing in the Canadian dairy market.