Food Labelling Modernization (FLM)Presented by: Daniel MillerExecutive Director, Food Labelling and Claims Directorate

Purpose

• To provide you with an overview of the Food Labelling Modernization (FLM) initiative, specifically the scope, objectives, engagement strategy, schedule, and next steps, as it relates to the Canadian Food Inspection Agency’s (CFIA) change agenda

• To encourage your participation in this initiative and seek your consideration on: – Roles and responsibilities– Regulations– Policy and Program Development– Service Delivery

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• The CFIA has embarked on a change and modernization agenda, propelled by the new Safe Food for Canadians Act (SFCA), with a focus on: stronger food safety rules; more effective inspection; commitment to service; and more information for consumers.

• The SFCA is the cornerstone of CFIA’s sweeping change agenda, that will help bring about legislative change aimed at promoting safer food and better protection to optimize the health and safety of Canadians and make Canadian businesses more competitive globally. Key change agenda initiatives include: – Inspection Modernization;– Food Regulatory Modernization;– Food Safety Action Plan’s Import Licensing;– Compliance Promotion; and – Food Labelling Modernization

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–CFIA’s Change Agenda

Shared Responsibility for Food Labelling (at the Federal Level)

– At the federal government level, the responsibility for food labelling requirements is shared between:

– Health Canada

– - Establishes policies, regulations and standards relating to the health, safety and nutritional quality of food sold in Canada.

– Canadian Food Inspection Agency

– - Enforces the policies and regulations that are developed by Health Canada.

– - Administers and enforces non-health and safety policies and regulations.

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Some of the Key Challenges in Food Labelling

As it relates to voluntary claims:• The CFIA has seen increased usage of voluntary non-health and

safety claims by industry • The CFIA is also being asked to respond more and more to

company-to-company labelling complaints in this area• The CFIA has seen focused media attention on these types of

claims, which has increased consumers’ awareness and their expectations of companies, the industry and the CFIA

• Consumers are also expecting more transparency and action from both industry and government

• The CFIA recognizes that in this area there are diverse views on the respective roles of consumers, industry and government

• A number of countries are exploring different ways of responding to these types of non-health and safety claims and redefining the roles and responsibilities of consumers, industry and government (see drivers in Annex 1)

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FLM Objectives and Focus

• Objectives: – Develop a modern and innovative food labelling system within the context of CFIA’s

priorities and vision and which aligns with the new Safe Food for Canadian’s Act and that

– Provides a better understanding of roles and responsibilities and continuous improvement as it relates to partnerships with other government departments such as Health Canada and with consumers and industry

– Appropriately responds to consumer and industry needs around food labelling within CFIA’s mandate

– Promotes smarter regulations and risk-based oversight by Government– Improves service delivery such as in relation to inquiries and availability of labelling

information and tools

• Focus:– Will include all foods, as well as the review of CFIA food labelling frameworks and

regulatory, program design and delivery systems

– Will not include food labelling activities that fall under the mandate of other government departments (for example: Health Canada)

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FLM Vision: to design an innovative and modern food labelling system, trusted and respected by Canadians and the international community.

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Roles and Responsibilities

Regulations

Policy and Program Development

Service Delivery

Improve compliance by effectively balancing the roles and responsibilities between consumers, industry, and governmentBetter protect consumers and support industry innovation by strengthening the regulatory framework , while considering global standards and approaches.Improve compliance by developing effective policies and programs; that are based on risk; facilitate partnerships and support consistency.

Improve service delivery by applying standardized inspection approaches based on risk and prevention, and supported by appropriate services and tools.

Area of Focus Outcomes

Key Areas of Focus for FLM Consultation

Engagement Strategy for FLM

Objective: • Identify and analyze issues that will lead to

development of recommendations for a more modern and innovative food labelling system

Strategy:• 2-phased consultation approach focusing on

consumers, industry, government—aiming to achieve a balanced perspective

• First phase to focus on issues identification• Second phase will engage on potential

recommendations for modern and innovative food labelling system

• Will use various approaches to engagement: discussion paper, online questionnaire, face-to-face listening sessions

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Sta

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& O

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r In

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Safe Food For Canadians Act

Stage 2: Analyse Data and

Draft Recommendations

Stage 1:Launch, Engage

and Gather Issues

Stage 3: Engage on Draft

Recommendations & Analyse Data

Stage 4:Finalize Report on Recommendations & Implementation

Proposal

321

Issues Gathered & Engagement Completed

Approval of Draft Recommendations

Completed Engagement

June- December 2013 January - May 2014 June – November 2014 December 2014 – June 2015

Tim

eli

ne

sOverview of Food Labelling Modernization – Timeline

Path Forward

• Continue to encourage stakeholders to participate in the Food Labelling Modernization Online Consultation

– Closes August 30, 2013– http://

inspection.gc.ca/food/labelling/labelling-modernization-initiative/consultations/questionnaire/eng/1371096847742/1371096850664

• Communicate with stakeholders (for example: via e-mail and the FLM webpage about upcoming engagement opportunities)

– FLM webpage: http://inspection.gc.ca/food/labelling/labelling-modernization-initiative/eng/1370111174659/1370111346666

• Continue to align with other CFIA Change Agenda initiatives (for example: Regulator Modernization, Importer Licencing) to co-ordinate engagement and share information

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Food Labelling Continuum and FLM Areas of Focus: Food for Thought

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Food Safety

Preventative Health

Consumer Values

HigherRisk

LowerRisk

e.g. Allergens

e.g. low fat, low sodium

(non-health and safety related)e.g. natural

Regulations

Policy Development

Roles, Responsibilities & Partnerships

Program Development

Service Deliverye.g. Inspection

Risk to Health and

Safety

Compositione.g. highlighted ingredients

All comes under section 5.1 of the Food and Drugs Act Re: False and Misleading

Please send any comments you may have : • By email: CFIA-Modernisation-ACIA@inspection.gc.ca• By mail:

Strategic Partnerships Division1400 Merivale Road, Tower 1Floor 6, suite 218Ottawa, ON K1A 0Y9CanadaAttn: Food labelling modernization

• By fax: 613-773-5606

You can also visit the FLM homepage at• http

://www.inspection.gc.ca/food/labelling/labelling-modernization-initiative/eng/1370111174659/1370111346666

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Annex 1: Drivers for FLM

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Consumers – Drivers

Changes in consumer demand

• Consumers are becoming more aware and knowledgeable about labels on products, to ensure that products meet their needs (e.g. health and safety; getting best value for money)

• Higher consumer expectations and increased media attention around labelling requires improved transparency and accountability

Industry – Issues

• Level playing field for domestic and imported products

• Market access• Ability to innovate• Modernized regulations to keep up with ingredients

and technology• Consistency of policy interpretation and enforcement• Timeliness and coordination• Common names

Industry – Drivers

Global supply chains have significantly changed the way in which products are processed,

produced, packaged and sold

• Manufacturers are finding more innovative and creative ways to communicate their products to consumers

• Food processing industry has become more competitive to meet consumers’ needs

Consumer – Issues• Safety • Public health• Marketplace Deception• Country of Origin • Quality• Legibility and consistency of information• Knowledge of roles and responsibilities of

government and industry

Roles, Responsibilities & PartnershipsIn Focus

Examining the roles and responsibilities that consumers, industry and government play in food labelling within the CFIA’s mandate

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In Focus

All food – including imported, domestic, retail; consumer packaged or bulk, further manufacturing

Annex 2: Overall Focus:– It will include all foods, as well as CFIA food labelling

frameworks and regulatory, program design and delivery systems.

Examples:

RegulationsIn Focus

Labelling regulations under CFIA’s responsibility‐ list of ingredients - placement of information -

standards of identity ‐ ingredient class names - grade marks - net

quantity ‐ best before date - common name -

country of origin marking‐ type size - dealer name and address

Administering labelling requirements for imported and domestic products that fall under CFIA responsibility in the following legislation:- Food and Drugs Act /Food and Drug Regulations - Canada Agricultural Products Act and its regulations- Fish Inspection Act /Fish Inspection Regulations - Meat Inspection Act /Meat Inspection Regulations- Consumer Packaging and Labelling Act/Consumer Packaging and Labelling Regulations

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Policy and Program Development

In Focus

Examining policies and guidelines, such as local, that are within the mandate of the CFIA, and that:

‐ no longer respond to industry and consumer needs,‐ contain gaps, or‐ are not harmonized with international standards or agreements

Examining CFIA’s process for developing and delivering policies, programs and frameworks.

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Service DeliveryIn Focus

Examining inspection activities and tools related to labelling and advertising of food under the responsibility of the CFIA

‐ inspection approach and strategy‐ training materials‐ IM/IT tools‐ guidance materials (for example: Guide to Food Labelling and

Advertising, Nutrition Labelling Toolkit)‐ labelling website information

Enforcing labelling requirements for imported and domestic products as they pertain to:- Food and Drugs Act /Food and Drug Regulations - Consumer Packaging and Labelling Act/Consumer Packaging and Labelling

Regulations- Fish Inspection Act /Fish Inspection Regulations- Meat Inspection Act /Meat Inspection Regulations- Canada Agricultural Products Act and its regulations

Roles, Responsibilities & Partnerships

Out of Focus

Transferring legislated responsibilities to other government departments

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Out of Focus

Food for export/ sale outside of Canada

Out of Focus: – Does not include food labelling activities that fall under the

mandate of other government departments (such as Health Canada).

Examples:

RegulationsOut of Focus

Examining labelling regulations under Health Canada’s responsibility‐ nutrition labelling and health claims requirements - food

additives‐ allergen labelling requirements -

fortification‐ genetically modified foods , novel foods - foods for

special dietary use‐ food safety related labelling requirements - aspartame

and sugar alcohols

Labelling regulations under other government department’s responsibility, for example:

‐ Industry Canada - Office of the Official Languages‐ Competition Bureau - Measurement Canada

Examining recently developed or revised labelling regulations and policies under CFIA’s responsibility, for example:

‐ Organic Products Regulations - icewine standard‐ cheese regulatory amendments - Guidelines on Product of Canada

Examining labelling regulatory changes under CFIA’s responsibility that would make them inconsistent with international standards such as the Codex General Standard for the Labelling of Prepackaged Foods

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Regulations Continued

Out of Focus

Examining regulations and policies under CFIA responsibility that are not related to labelling of food, for example:

‐ animal and plant health‐ microbiological standards‐ agricultural inputs (for example: feed, fertilizers)

Examining labeling regulations and policies under provincial and territorial responsibility, for example

‐ provincial standards and requirement ‐ Nova Scotia Liquor Standards Corporation‐ Ontario Milk Act

Requirements for bilingual labelling

Metrification in relation to net quantity declaration

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Service DeliveryOut of Focus

Examining inspection activities and tools under CFIA responsibility that are not related to labelling of food, such as related to:

‐ animal and plant health‐ microbiological standards‐ agricultural inputs (for example: feed, fertilizers)

Labelling Recipe and Registration Unit

Policy and Program Development

Out of Focus

Examining policies and guidelines that are outside the mandate of the CFIA