When Canadians go to the grocery store, they want to be able to bring home Canadian food to serve their families. That is why Prime Minister Stephen Harper announced on May 21, 2008 that new truth in labelling guidelines would be introduced to make sure Canadians know what they are getting, and get what they want. Today, Canada’s Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz was proud to announce that these new guidelines come into effect for foods produced after December 31. 2008.
“Canadian farmers and processors produce some of the best food in the world and this Government’s new Product of Canada labels will make sure Canadian families have the information they need to find those foods,” said Minister Ritz while speaking in Cornwall, Ontario. “By the end of the year, if a food is labelled Product of Canada, this Government is making sure that food is Canadian inside and out.”
Minister Ritz was accompanied by local Member of Parliament Guy Lauzon.
“We are also giving Canadian processors the credit they deserve when they make foods here in Canada and use imported products. For those foods, we are offering qualified Made in Canada labels,” added Mr. Lauzon.
The Government’s new guidelines will require both that the contents and processing be Canadian to qualify for the Product of Canada label. For foods that are processed in Canada, but contain imported ingredients, qualified Made in Canada labels will be available such as “Made in Canada from imported ingredients.”
Since May 21, 2008, more than 1,500 Canadians took the time to weigh in on this Government’s proposed guidelines and more than 90 per cent told us we were on the right track.
Farmers and processors will be able to choose whether to use the Product of Canada labels, but if these claims are made, the product must meet the Government’s new guidelines.
“Canadians called for clear Product of Canada labels and Prime Minister Stephen Harper delivered,” said Minister Ritz. “Since Prime Minister Harper announced this initiative, we have consulted with hundreds of Canadians and they are solidly behind these commonsense guidelines.”
For more information, consumers can call CFIA at 1-800-442-2342 / TTY 1-800-465-7735 (8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern time, Monday to Friday) or visit Government of Canada’s Healthy Canadians website.