Voluntary Labelling And Advertising of Foods That Are and Are Not Products of Genetic
Engineering
National Standard of Canada
CAN/CGSB-32.315-2004
Introduction
In recognition of heightened interest regarding foods that are and are not products of genetic engineering, countries and international bodies have examined approaches for identifying such foods through labelling, to assist consumers in making informed food choices
Canada has in place a regulatory framework for the food, feed, and environmental safety assessment of products of
biotechnology, including for novel foods, which include but are not limited to foods that have been developed
through the use of genetic engineering as defined in this standard. Under the Food and Drugs Act, mandatory
labelling of all foods, including novel foods, is required where the foods have significant nutritional or
compositional changes, or where potential health and safety risks exist that could be mitigated through labelling.
The label must state, for example, the nature of a nutritional or compositional change, or the presence of an allergen.
It is not required to indicate that the food is a product of genetic engineering.
Food label and advertising claims pertaining to the use or non-use of genetic engineering are permissible in Canada,
provided such claims are truthful; not misleading; not deceptive; not likely to create an erroneous impression of a
food’s character, value, composition, merit or safety; and in compliance with all other regulatory requirements set
out in the Food and Drugs Act, the Food and Drug Regulations, the Consumer Packaging and Labelling Act and
Consumer Packaging and Labelling Regulations, the Competition Act and any other relevant legislation, as well as
the Guide to Food Labelling and Advertising. If claims related to the health, safety, nutrition and/or environmental
impacts of foods are made, such claims must be truthful, verifiable, not misleading, and in compliance with all
Canadian regulations.
The National Standard of Canada Voluntary Labelling and Advertising of Foods That Are and Are Not Products of
Genetic Engineering was developed to ensure that any such claims are consistent with an appropriate set of
parameters, including being informative, understandable, verifiable, and not false or misleading. Should a claim be
made pursuant to this standard, it must meet the requirements applicable to the type of claim being made, as outlined
in this standard. This standard was developed to provide consumer choice and does not imply the existence of health
or safety concerns for products within its scope.
It is important to note that the standard permits verification of claims by several processes including audit tracking
(identity preservation) as well as chemical analysis. However, acceptable Canadian or international verification
processes or methods for validating ingredient claims, as outlined in section 7 of the standard, may not be available
at the time of issuing this standard. As with all labelling claims, where acceptable verification processes, including
such systems as audit tracking, do not currently exist, voluntary claims will not be made until an acceptable
verification process is developed. Currently work is underway internationally and domestically to develop these
processes.
It has been recognized that the term genetic modification is sometimes used as a synonym for genetic engineering as
defined in this standard. However, to genetically modify a plant, animal, or micro-organism implies making any
change to the genetic makeup of the organism by any intentional means whatsoever and is defined in this manner in
the Food and Drug Regulations. Because of the broad nature of this definition, many food products would be
considered genetically modified, and very few could be considered non-genetically modified. In order to meet the
needs of consumers for information about the application of specific techniques of biotechnology, the standard
limits itself to claims about the use of genetic engineering in the production of foods and food ingredients.
The standard was developed by a Committee, with representation from food producers, manufacturers,
distributors, consumers, general interest, and government groups. While mindful of international
implications, including ongoing Codex Alimentarius work towards a labelling guideline,
the Committee reached a consensus based on a voluntary code for products available in Canada.
Scope
The standard applies to the voluntary labelling and advertising of food in order to distinguish whether or not such
foods are products of genetic engineering, or contain or do not contain ingredients that are products of genetic
engineering, irrespective of whether the food or ingredient contains DNA or protein.
The standard defines terms, and sets out criteria for claims and for their evaluation and verification.
The standard applies to food sold to consumers in Canada, regardless of whether it is produced domestically or
imported.
The standard applies to the labelling and advertising of food sold prepackaged or in bulk, as well as to food prepared
at the point of sale.
Under this standard, processing aids, enzymes below 0.01% by weight in a food as offered for sale (exception, see
par. 6.2.7 a.), veterinary biologics, animal feeds, and substrates for micro-organisms (where the substrate itself is not
present in the finished food product) do not affect whether a food or ingredient is considered to be or not to be a
product of genetic engineering.
This standard does not preclude, override, or in any way change legally required information, claims or labelling, or
any other applicable legal requirements.
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Conditions and Disclaimers Relating to Electronic Publication
You are advised and agree that this document, together with its
attachments, is an unofficial electronic version of a national standard.
You are further advised and agree that the Minister of PWGSC, as
well as members of the CGSB Voluntary Labelling And Advertising of Foods That Are and Are
Not Products of Genetic Engineering Committee, accept
no liability and expressly disclaim any responsibility for:
- any discrepancies that may arise between the original CGSB text
and any electronic version (including any version transmitted
via the Internet) of this standard.
- any non-current material contained in this electronic version
of this standard but revised or not included in a subsequent version
of this standard.
In the event of discrepancies, the official CGSB publication of
this standard, in hard-copy format, takes precedence over the electronic
version and is available from the following address:
By Mail: |
Sales Centre
Canadian General Standards Board
Gatineau, Canada
K1A 1G6 |
By Phone: |
1-800-665-2472 (Canada only)
or 819-956-0425 |
By E-mail: |
ncr.cgsb-ongc@pwgsc.gc.ca |
By fax: |
819-956-5740 |
|
