Food > Biotechnology >Labelling 

Developing a Canadian Standard for the Voluntary Labelling of Foods Derived Through Biotechnology

What is voluntary labelling?

Food labelling allows consumers to make informed product choices about nutrition, composition, and substances that may have safety implications for particular segments of the population. The main legislation dealing with food labelling in Canada is the Food and Drugs Act. This legislation prescribes what can be said on food labels so that consumers get essential information. The legislation also allows voluntary labelling of all foods, including biotechnology-derived foods.

Producers, manufacturers, and retailers can elect to provide information on food labels by featuring product characteristics of interest to consumers, as long as the information is true and not misleading. For example, a manufacturer may choose to highlight an improvement, such as a new flavour. Such a claim implies that the food has been modified to make it different, and the way in which the food has been changed is clearly indicated on the label.

Similarly, a food manufacturer may choose to label its product as either "product of biotechnology" or "not a product of biotechnology," as long as the information is truthful and not misleading.

Why did Canada develop this national standard?

Internationally, significant discussions are underway concerning feasible and appropriate ways of labelling biotechnology-derived foods.  Canada is a recognized leader on this issue and currently chairs the prestigious Codex Alimentarius Committee on Food Labelling.

In consultations undertaken since 1999, Canadians have been clear that they want the labelling of these foods to be meaningful (not misleading) and understandable for the average consumer.

The Canadian Council of Grocery Distributors asked the Canadian General Standards Board (CGSB) to assist in developing a National Standard for Canada for the voluntary labelling of foods and food ingredients obtained from and not obtained from biotechnology. To do so, the CGSB established a multi-stakeholder committee to undertake the consensus-driven, public process.

Who is on the committee and how were members chosen?

The committee is composed of volunteer representatives and individuals from three main stakeholder groups: producer, user, and general interest. In keeping with the process for developing standards at CGSB, the list of potential members was compiled from many different sources, including lists of associations, various levels of government, and the Internet. The CGSB sent out letters to organizations and individuals who are either technically qualified or otherwise knowledgeable on this issue.

The committee has two types of members: voting members and information members (non-voting). Membership is balanced so that no single category of interest (producer, user, general interest) can dominate the committee deliberations.

What does the national standard include?

Although there are additional aspects identified by the committee, the National Standard for Canada includes:

• model voluntary label declarations that are understandable and not misleading for Canadian consumers
• procedures to distinguish biotechnology-derived foods from conventionally produced foods through the food chain (i.e. from production to retail) and the appropriate use of testing and monitoring procedures

How did the committee function?

The committee met in person and also conducted its work electronically and by mail.

As with all standards development under the CGSB process, the work on this labelling standard was an iterative process that worked toward consensus. This means that committee members reviewed and commented on successive drafts of the standard to ensure that all views are expressed and taken into account before proceeding to the next draft. Wherever possible, the CGSB uses recognized international standards as the basis for National Standards of Canada.

How does the consensus process work?

When developing a national standard, the CGSB works with volunteer committee members through a process that seeks to obtain substantial agreement of all parties represented, given that there will always be a wide range of opinions reflected by those groups and individuals. The process attempts to resolve objections as each draft of the standard is reviewed and commented upon.

Can the public comment on the draft standard?

To enable Canadians to participate in developing the standard, the committee released a first draft for 60-day public review and comment period.  In July 2003, the voting period closed on a revised national voluntary labelling standard that takes into consideration the input received during the public review period. The CGSB Web site http://www.pwgsc.gc.ca/cgsb/ has more information on the process.

How soon will the new national standard be in place?

The standard has been approved as a National Standard of Canada by the Standards Council of Canada, and is available on the CGSB website at www.pwgsc.gc.ca/cgsb/home/index-e.html

How will the standard be maintained and updated?

During the first five years after the standard is published, the committee retains responsibility for the technical validation of the document.  At intervals of no more than five years, the standard must be reviewed and updated, or revised, as appropriate.

The CGSB is an accredited standards development organization within Public Works and Government Services Canada. Its expertise is recognized throughout Canada and internationally. In business since 1934, the CGSB is accredited by the Standards Council of Canada as a standards-development and registration organization. For more information, see the CGSB Web site http://www.pwgsc.gc.ca/cgsb/.

The CCGD, as the project sponsor, is a national non-profit organization, representing about 80% of primarily large and small grocery and supermarket operations across Canada. The CCGD’s goal is to help its members provide quality products to informed consumers, in an efficient manner. A vibrant part of the economy, the food distribution sector has invested approximately $1.5 billion in the Canadian economy over the past year.

Statements from the Chair of the Canadian General Standards Board Committee on Voluntary Labelling of Food Obtained or Not Obtained Through Genetic Engineering