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Archived - Food Labelling Modernization
Engagement Summary Report on Key Issues – June 2014

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Table of contents

Purpose of the Report

The Government of Canada is modernizing food labelling. Health Canada is working to modernize nutrition labelling and other areas under its mandate. At the same time, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) is modernizing labelling in the areas it has responsibility for.

This report presents a summary of feedback from stakeholders who participated in the first engagement phase of the CFIA's Food Labelling Modernization initiative. Specifically, this report aims to:

Objective of Modernizing Food Labelling

The overall objective of the Food Labelling Modernization initiative is to develop recommendations that will lead to a modern food labelling system that responds to current and future challenges. This will be done by engaging stakeholders and linking with other modernization initiatives at the CFIA and Health Canada.

This directly supports the government's objectives to promote healthy and safe food choices to consumers, prevent food safety risks, and protect Canadians from unsafe food. Informative labels help Canadians make healthy and safe choices for the food they buy for their families.

Modernizing food labelling supports the Government of Canada's commitments, specifically:

Engagement Objectives

The Government of Canada is committed to an open, transparent process in modernizing food labelling. Consultations play an important role in developing regulations and policies. They also support ongoing dialogue with consumers, industry, other involved stakeholders and all interested Canadians.

The objective of the food labelling engagement was to identify issues, through open and transparent discussions with a wide range of stakeholders, in four key areas. These are:

  1. Roles, Responsibilities and Partnerships
  2. Food Labelling Regulations
  3. Policy and Program Development
  4. Service Delivery

Through the food labelling engagement we:

The intention is to use the information gathered from the various engagement activities to inform future engagement sessions with stakeholders.

Who was Engaged and How

Who: a broad, inclusive and diverse group of stakeholders

We captured the views of over 3700 stakeholders, from a broad cross-section of groups. These included:

How: extensive, integrated and multi-faceted types of engagement

The CFIA carried out extensive integrated engagement and outreach across Canada between the spring of 2013 and the winter of 2014, with internal and external stakeholders. Various means of engagement were used to reach as many stakeholders as possible. This included:

Summary of Top Issues

Overall, the opportunity to provide feedback was very well received by stakeholders who realize and understand the complexity of issues in food labelling. Stakeholders generally felt that the CFIA is on the right path and that they have identified the right outcomes for modernizing food labelling.

A summary of the top issues in each of the four key areas of labelling modernization is found below. The views expressed here are those raised by stakeholders during the engagement period.

These key issues will be reviewed and prioritized and will help to inform the development of strategic options for modernizing the food labelling system, for consideration by stakeholders in the next phase of engagement.

Key Area 1: Roles, Responsibilities and Partnerships

Stakeholders identified two key issues with regard to roles, responsibilities and partnerships in food labelling.

Key Issue 1: There is a general lack of understanding of the roles and responsibilities of all stakeholders as it relates to consumer protection and food labelling.

In general, stakeholders indicated that there is a lack of clarity in the roles and responsibilities of consumers, industry and government. They also indicated that there is a need for a better understanding of food labelling to effectively fulfill their responsibilities.

Specifically, these same stakeholders found it difficult to understand the CFIA's consumer protection and food labelling roles, and how they fit into the CFIA's overall vision and priorities. Both internal and external stakeholders felt that currently there is not enough focus on the consumer protection and food labelling aspects of the mandate shared by Health Canada and the CFIA.

Stakeholders reported that the working relationship between the CFIA and Health Canada is unclear and that there appears to be a lack of alignment between the organizations and their labelling modernization initiatives.

Overall, stakeholders indicated that there is a general lack of understanding and clarity of the roles and responsibilities of consumers, industry and government as they relate to consumer protection and food labelling. Many stakeholders also identified a need for a better understanding of food labelling to properly fulfill their roles (this issue also links to points raised under service delivery).

"As a consumer, I expect to see clear and consistent labelling information. But do not know who is responsible, from the three tiers, exactly who that is."

– Consumer

Key Issue 2: Participants indicated that they want more involvement in labelling. The way roles and responsibilities are currently aligned often limits the involvement of stakeholders and there are not enough opportunities for partnering.

Stakeholders indicated that the way roles and responsibilities are currently aligned often limits their involvement and that this can result in missed opportunities for partnerships. Industry and government require clear guidance and tools, and consumers need truthful information on food labels.

Consumers, industry and other stakeholders felt they are not adequately involved in developing policies and regulations that are related to consumer value labelling.

"As a consumer, I feel left out of the discussion. I feel my voice isn't heard when decisions are made. The public does not have a voice as much as industry does…"

– Consumer

In general, participants felt that partnerships between the CFIA and all stakeholders could be enhanced, including with consumers, industry associations and provincial governments. Or, in some cases, such partnerships need to be established.

"The Agency should form a small, core group of food sector stakeholders, including consumer and industry representatives, which could help shape the modernized food labelling policies and regulations, and guide their evolution."

– Industry

"… there are opportunities to increase … impact by aligning efforts and sharing information and insights between … levels of government. A more formalized process is in order…"

– Provincial/Territorial Governments

"Multiple changes to business practices and systems at different times are costly, uncoordinated and confusing to consumers."

– Respondent, Focused Questionnaire

Key Area 2: Food Labelling Regulations

Two key issues with food labelling regulations were consistently raised by stakeholders.

Key Issue 3: Some regulations do not meet current market practices, or industry and consumer needs.

Stakeholders identified the following as top issues: regulations on the list of ingredients, common names (modified standardized common names), date markings (best before date) and the Nutrition Facts table.

"I want full disclosure of what is actually in the food product, in plain language, and not hidden."

– General Public

"We need simpler messaging for consumers and the ability for the consumer to compare similar products with ease. The information is comprehensive but not always useful to consumers."

– General Public

"Clear, simple rules on labelling can reduce the risk of non-compliance and degree of uncertainty in making decisions during label reviews

– Respondent, Focused Questionnaire

Industry and government identified several standards that are outdated or too prescriptive, such as the standard for beer, bread, vegetable oils, flavours, and spices. These pose barriers to trade, stifle innovation, limit consumer offerings and impact the cost of foods.

"Many standardized products are outdated and do not reflect the use of the items in today's manufacturing process, not to mention for items being imported from around the world."

– Industry

"All standards should allow for new product innovation and future advances in food technologies."

– Participant at face-to-face session

As well, it was indicated that many federal regulations are not in alignment with municipal and provincial requirements, or with the requirements of major trading partners. This hinders innovation and makes trade challenging.

It was also felt that there is limited control and monitoring of imported products. Many domestic producers felt that their products are being held to a higher standard than imported products, and that there is not a level playing field in the marketplace.

Key Issue 4: Labelling regulations are complex, not presented in plain language, and are spread through many different acts.

Food labelling requirements are spread through numerous acts and this has created issues with duplication, inconsistencies and overlap, all of which can result in a higher incidence of non-compliance.

Industry and CFIA staff also mentioned that the language used for labelling requirements is often complex and not in plain language, resulting in inconsistent interpretation and negative service delivery.

Industry also indicated that there should be more use of the incorporation by reference tool when modernizing regulations.

"Consideration should be given to incorporating by reference food standards, when regulation is necessary."

– Industry Association

Key Area 3: Policy and Program Development

There were three key issues that consistently emerged regarding policy and program development.

Key Issue 5: Interpretation and enforcement of the laws that prohibit "false and misleading" labelling and advertising can be difficult.

Stakeholders indicated that it can be difficult to interpret the Food and Drugs Act section 5(1) and the Consumer Packaging and Labelling Act section 7(1), which prohibit false and misleading representation on labels. This creates complications in enforcement and compliance, largely due to a lack of supporting regulations, tools and processes that clearly define what would constitute false and misleading representation.

The result is an increase in consumer and trade (company-to-company) complaints, impacting areas around roles and responsibilities and service delivery. Guidelines on highlighted ingredients and flavours, local, and method of production were examples identified by stakeholders.

"Vague, unclear claims do not inform the consumer about the food and can mislead consumers into purchasing the food. Claims should be clearly defined or not used at all."

– General Public

"The 'natural' claim is over-used and misunderstood. It misleads consumers into thinking the food is a healthy choice."

– Health Professionals

Industry generally supported a move towards outcome-based food regulations because it promotes flexibility and allows the ability to innovate.

However, industry emphasized the costs and risks associated with operating in an unclear regulatory framework, and they stressed the importance of strengthening guidance in support of outcome-based regulations.

From a CFIA perspective, it was indicated that the lack of more specific regulations creates significant challenges in providing clear and consistent interpretation and guidance to industry, and in training inspection staff.

"… the industry is struggling with increased public and media scrutiny if anything on a label is viewed as being false, misleading or deceptive. The Agency needs to provide guidance on these issues in an effort to promote compliance and apply consistent and equitable enforcement responses."

– Industry

"Outcome-based regulations require significant guidance and policy documents to support field staff, and industry, to confidently complete activities and assess compliance."

– Participant at face-to-face session

Key Issue 6: Stakeholders indicated that the model for developing policies to address consumer values labelling issues is not sufficiently based on risk; does not leverage partnerships and involvement of stakeholders, particularly industry and consumers; is not proactive; and does not allow for varying government oversight depending on the level of risk.

All stakeholders (consumers, industry, and government) want to be more meaningfully involved in the policy development process, so that policies meet the needs of consumers, industry, and government.

"Interpretation of regulations should be open to industry and the public."

– Participant at face-to-face session

"The market place, production methods, and scientific insights are evolving quickly and we need labelling policy to keep pace."

– Industry

"CFIA needs to increase stakeholder engagement."

– Health Professionals

Stakeholders indicated that although the CFIA's first priority should be health and safety risks, the CFIA's mandate is to also protect consumers from misrepresentation and fraud.

"The CFIA must not only protect consumers against issues of food safety, but also against false, deceptive or misleading labelling."

– Industry

Stakeholders added that the role of consumers and industry is not well defined, and models such as third-party or private certification schemes were important. This relates to the key issues in Roles and Responsibilities.

"There is a need for third party certification of voluntary claims such as animal welfare related claims."

– General Public

Key Issue 7: Policies do not always provide the guidance and information needed to achieve their objective.

Interpretations of the regulations, often found in guidance documents, can be challenging for industry to implement and for the CFIA to consistently enforce.

In addition, consumers believed that they do not have enough knowledge and understanding of guidelines and policies (for example, "local," "natural," "Product of Canada" and highlighted ingredients).

"The information is often complex and open to interpretation. For that reason, it may not be consistently applied within an organization or among many organizations."

– Industry

"When developing policy, make sure guidance is based on practical criteria that can be easily used."

– General Public

Key Area 4: Service Delivery

There were four key issues that consistently emerged with regard to service delivery.

Key Issue 8: Stakeholders indicated that enforcement is inconsistent, lacks transparency and is at times ineffective.

Stakeholders, particularly industry, commented that enforcement strategies are not applied in an effective, consistent, and transparent manner. Enforcement plans (including inspection priorities) often do not address gaps or make opportunities for uniformity easier. There is limited control and monitoring of imported products.

Stakeholders also identified the following issues:

"The CFIA should hold industry more accountable – after a complaint, provide updates. Communicate process and resolution in a transparent manner…"

– Health Professionals

"Policies like Highlighted Ingredients…need to be widely accessible if industry is to consistently comply with them and consumers are to understand them."

– Industry

"There should be an easy method for consumers to file complaints against food products that they perceive to be improperly labelled or misleading and the CFIA should be required to report back to consumers in a transparent matter."

– Respondent, Focused Questionnaire

Key Issue 9: The inquiries process could be more efficient and timely.

Stakeholders said they did not know who to contact for information. In addition, responses to their questions are not consistent or timely, and do not always get answers to their questions.

They also noted a need for increased involvement in decision making. This point relates to issues raised under Roles and Responsibilities.

"Currently, channels through which industry can contact the CFIA for guidance and discussion on regulatory interpretation are not always clear and response times are very slow and do not reflect the pace of industry timelines."

– Industry

Key issue 10: Consumers, industry, government, and other stakeholders indicated that labelling information on the website is in too many different places; it needs to be updated and organized better.

Stakeholders said that the existing information management/information technology (IM/IT) tools, including those used to capture inspection data and other data, are inadequate for successfully delivering the food labelling program. As well, there are multiple, outdated systems that do not speak to one another and do not allow for planning, reporting and performance measurement.

Industry, consumers and government also felt there is not enough guidance, education and support to promote compliance. The CFIA website is not user-friendly or easily searchable; food labelling information is not logically organized and gaps exist in information.

"CFIA online resources are written in legal jargon making them complex and not easily usable.… Food label information is not in one place on the web. It would be helpful for consumers if there was coordination between CFIA and Health Canada."

– Health Professionals

"The actual layout/presentation of information online is often not intuitive, and difficult to navigate. Finding pertinent regulatory information is time consuming."

– Industry

Key Issue 11: Stakeholders reported that there is not enough training for inspectors. As well, there are limited education and awareness programs for consumers and industry.

All stakeholders raised lack of training and awareness as an issue.

Consumers need more information and awareness on how to use labelling information and industry and government need more comprehensive training on food labelling. This links to Roles and Responsibilities.

"It is important that government provide sufficient information and education to keep industry and consumers informed of the regulations and policies."

– Industry Association

Linkages with Other Modernization Activities

The Food Labelling Modernization initiative is part of the CFIA's Safe Food for Canadians Action Plan, contributes to the Healthy and Safe Food for Canadians framework, and links to other modernization and change agenda activities in the CFIA and Health Canada. These include:

Successes in these initiatives will help to modernize food labelling. We will continue to take an integrated approach to engage stakeholders and develop options for recommendations.

Next Steps

While we may not be able to address all the issues raised, the issues we gathered will help contribute to the development of options for modernizing food labelling. We will consult you on these in our next phase of engagement. During this phase the CFIA will do the following:

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