Canadian Government Considers Changes to “Made in Canada” Label

Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) officials recently solicited public and industry feedback on a proposal to loosen country-of-origin labeling guidelines by exempting specific ingredients difficult to obtain in Canada. The amendment would reportedly exclude imported salt, sugar and other spices from provisions that require processed products labeled “Product of Canada” or “Made in Canada” to obtain 98.5 percent of their ingredients from domestic sources.

Speaking to food and beverage company representatives at an April 19, 2010, conference in Ottawa, Ontario, Minister of State (Agriculture) Jean-Pierre Blackburn apparently reaffirmed his commitment to working on the labeling issue to secure a competitive future for the Canadian food processing industry. According to Blackburn, public consultations are slated to begin this month with a consensus on the proposed changes expected by the end of June 2010. See AAFC Press Release and Parliamentary Bureau, April 19, 2010; Farmscape, April 20, 2010.