Resolution - 2008.04
Accurate Food Labelling
Submitted by: Saskatchewan Provincial Council
Whereas, In Canada, a food product can be labelled “Product of Canada” if 51 per cent of the total cost, including packaging, labour and/or transportation, is Canadian; and
Whereas, The labelling practices can lead consumers to believe that they are purchasing a product grown or raised in Canada; and
Whereas, Such misleading labelling undermines the work of Canadian farmers and can adversely affect their livelihood; therefore, be it
Resolved, That the national council of The Catholic Women's League of Canada, in 88th annual national convention assembled, urge the federal government to amend Canadian laws, regulations and guidelines to:
- ensure that food products labelled “Product of Canada” are at least 80 per cent grown or raised and packaged in Canada
- require that food products be labelled with the country or countries of origin, clearly identifying where the food was grown or raised
BRIEF: Accurate Food Labelling
The issue of accurate food labelling is of concern to both consumers and food producers. Presently “Product of Canada” does not always mean a food product is from Canada. The Canadian Food Inspection Agency labelling guide allows packaging companies to import food, to process it here, and to label it “Product of Canada,” with optional identification of country or countries of origin. This practice leads consumers to think that they are purchasing a product from Canada or a product that meets Canadian standards. In reality, it may only be the costs of processing, transportation, and labour on imported food that exceeds the 51 per cent that allows it to be labelled “Product of Canada” (CFIA, 2003 Guide, Chapter 11). This undermines food producers globally by enabling corporations to pit one country against another, depending on food and labour costs, transportation, and packaging. Furthermore, truth in food labelling is important to people with food sensitivities.
Instead of the words “product” and “produced,” food labels should include the words “grown” and “raised” so that the consumer knows that food is genuinely grown and raised in Canada. Farmers “produce” food, but because processors use the words “produced by” or “product of,” the terminology in the labelling guide is inadequate to inform Canadians of the source of the food. Presently it is optional to state the country of origin on food labels (CFIA, 2003 Guide, Chapter 11). This results in products such as orange juice being labelled “Product of Canada.”
The federal government has proposed new labelling guidelines to be implemented December 31, 2008, to help consumers identify food that is truly Canadian (Government of Canada, Government Announces); however, these proposed guidelines remain inadequate. For example, meat imported from Argentina and processed in Canada would be labelled “Made in Canada from imported ingredients.” On the other hand, meat raised in Canada, exported to the United States, processed and imported back into Canada would be labelled “Product of USA.” Neither example presents an accurate picture of where the food is grown and raised. With the current and proposed guidelines, Canada is on the brink of losing its food sovereignty, that is, control of its food.
Canada needs to ensure the right of food producers and consumers to control food; the federal government must expand product descriptions by listing percentages of domestic and imported ingredients, as well as stating the country or countries of origin.
Accurate information, the market and reasonable regulations would allow Canadian food producers and consumers, rather than corporations, to determine what is grown and eaten by Canadians.
REFERENCES
The Assembly of Québec Catholic Bishops, Social Affairs Committee. Fruits of the Earth and Human Labour: A socio-economic contract with the rural world. http://www.eveques.qc.ca/documents/2008/20080501a.html. May 1, 2008.
Canadian Federation of Agriculture. A "Grown in Canada" food label. http://www.cfa-fca.ca/pages/index.php?main_id=321.
Canadian Food Inspection Agency. 2003 Guide to Food Labelling and Advertising. http://www.inspection.gc.ca/english/fssa/labeti/guide/toce.shtml.July 15, 2008.
Canadian Food Inspection Agency. New Guidelines Defining Product of Canada and Made in Canada on food labels and advertising. (Industry Advisory.) http://www.inspection.gc.ca/english/fssa/labeti/inform/prodcane.shtml.July 15, 2008.
Government of Canada. The Canadian Food Labelling Initiative: What We Heard from Canadians. http://www.healthycanadians.ca/pr-rp/heard-entendu_e.html. July 15, 2008.
Government of Canada. Competition Act (R.S., 1985, c. C-34 ), Part VII. 1, 74.01. http://laws.justice.gc.ca/en/C-34/
Government of Canada. Consumer Packaging and Labelling Act (R.S., 1985, c. C-38 ). http://laws.justice.gc.ca/en/C-38/
Government of Canada. Food and Drugs Act (R.S., 1985. c. F-27). http://laws.justice.gc.ca/en/F-27/
Government of Canada. Frequently asked Questions on Product of Canada and Made in Canada Claims. http://www.healthycanadians.ca/pr-rp/faqcan_e.html. July 15, 2008.
Government of Canada. Government Announces the New Product of Canada Food Labelling Guidelines Take Effect December 31. http://www.healthycanadians.gc.ca/media/2008-06-15_e.html. July 15, 2008.
Government of Canada. Product of Canada and Made in Canada voluntary claims on food labels and in advertising. http://www.healthycanadians.gc.ca/media/2008-06-15bk_e.html. July 15, 2008.
Requested Members' Action:
- Write letters to government urging more accurate labels on food to ensure that unless the food was actually grown and/or raised in Canada, the label cannot say "Made in Canada."
- Grow or purchase organically grown food.
- Support local farmers, merchants and farmers' markets.
- Monitor new labelling guidelines effective December 31, 2008.
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