This page has been archived
Information identified as archived is provided for reference, research or record-keeping purposes. It is not subject to the Government of Canada Web Standards and has not been altered or updated since it was archived. Please contact us to request a format other than those available.
Current status: Closed
This consultation ran from November 3, 2020 to December 3, 2020.
About the consultation
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) launched a public consultation to seek feedback on the proposed guidelines for simulated meat and simulated poultry products.
The Government of Canada has reviewed its guidelines on simulated meat and simulated poultry products to distinguish between the following foods:
- meat and poultry products
- simulated meat and simulated poultry products
- other products which do not substitute for meat or poultry products
The CFIA consulted with Canadians on the proposed changes to the guidelines.
There is no intent to change the regulations at this time.
Existing guidelines describe the regulatory requirements for simulated meat and poultry products, which are products that are represented as having the physical and nutritive characteristics of meat or poultry.
Given there is an increase in the availability of new plant-based products on the Canadian market, the CFIA recognizes that some of these foods are neither meat nor poultry and are not intended to substitute for meat or poultry products. So while the requirements for simulated meat and poultry products have not changed, the proposed guidelines have been updated to differentiate simulated meat and poultry products from those that are neither meat nor poultry and not intended to substitute for meat or poultry products. The proposed guidelines will help ensure market consistency and prevent foods from being mislabeled.
The proposed guidelines also specify that the common name or any vignette on the label must clearly identify the food in order to sufficiently distinguish it from similar foods for which it may likely be mistaken. This will help consumers to make informed food choices that match their personal interest and nutritional needs.
Who was the focus of this consultation
The CFIA engaged with:
- individuals and organizations in Canada's food industry
- consumers and the general public
Key questions for discussion
The CFIA sought feedback on the proposed guidelines for simulated meat and simulated poultry products:
- to ensure that composition and labelling requirements are clearly explained
- to determine any challenges in distinguishing between meat and poultry products, simulated or other plant-based products
Related information
- News release: Government of Canada launches consultation on guidelines for simulated meat and poultry products
- Labelling requirements for meat and poultry products: Simulated meat and simulated poultry products (Existing guidelines)
- Proposed guidelines for simulated meat and simulated poultry products
- General information on simulated meat and simulated poultry products
Contact us
Please send us an email at cfia.labellingconsultation-etiquetage.acia@inspection.gc.ca and include "Simulated meat and poultry products consultation" in the subject line.