There is no mandatory labelling of GMO foods in Canada. The Standards Council of Canada officially adopted the Standard for Voluntary Labelling and Advertising of Foods That Are and Are Not Products of Genetic Engineering.
Voluntary labelling and advertising of foods that are and are not products of genetic engineering
The regulations require mandatory certification to the revised Canadian Organic Standards for food, feed, or seed products represented as organic in import, export and inter-provincial trade, or that bear the federal organic logo.
The use of the organic logo is voluntary and only permitted on products that have an organic content that is greater than or equal to 95% and have been certified according to the requirements of the Canada Organic Regime.
Consumers are telling industry they want foods that are wholesome, authentic and “natural”. Labels and advertisements should not convey the impression that “Nature” has, by some miraculous process, made some foods nutritionally superior to others or has engineered some foods specially to take care of human needs. Some consumers may consider foods described as “natural” of greater worth than foods not so described.
The Clean Eating trend has emerged from the following trends: free-from; locally sourced or the 100 miles diet; fewer ingredients and recognizable ingredients. The definition of clean label varies among consumers depending on:
Health Canada sets science-based MRLs to ensure the food Canadians eat is safe. The MRLs set for each pesticide-crop combination are set at levels well below the amount that could pose a health concern. Typically, an MRL applies to the identified raw agricultural food commodity as well as to any processed food product that contains it.
To access the MRL database click here.
Glyphosate is the most widely-used weed-killer in Canada. It is sprayed on major food crops like corn, soy and wheat. It is also used in forestry and land management, to kill undergrowth.
Health Canada has rejected allegations that a key ingredient in a popular pesticide is a cancer risk to humans based on typical use. On June 2018 Health Canada announced it had decided to stick with its decision in 2017 to approve the use of the ingredient, glyphosate, for 15 years.
MRLs apply to glyphosate and the levels are different depending on the crop or food product. Check the MRL database for more information.
On June 10, 2019 Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced a proposed federal ban of “harmful” single-use plastics which could come into effect as early as 2021.
BAC created a new Environment and Sustainability Committee in September 2019 in order to the impact of such a proposal on the bakery industry.
