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Canadian Food Inspection Agency Section VII : Health-Related Claims
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Sections 7.1 to 7.9 | Sections 7.10 to 7.17.2 |
Annexe 1 | Annexe 2 | Annexe 3 Annex 4 | Annexe 5 | Annexe 6 | Appendices I - V |
Historically, representations such as the use of "heart" symbols and statements such as "heart healthy" on food labels or in advertising have been considered likely to offend the Food and Drugs Act because they can be potentially misleading under subsection 5(1) and/or may represent the product as a preventative for heart disease [subsection 3(1)].
As a result of the work of the Ad Hoc Intersectoral Committee on Health Information Programs Involving the Sale of Foods and on the Use of Nutrition Recommendations in Food Labelling and Advertising, policies were issued on March 1, 1991 under the title "Guidelines for Health Information Programs Involving the Sale of Foods" (Guideline #6, Food Directorate, Health Protection Branch, Health Canada) (see Section VII, Annex 6, of this Guide).
One of the policies contained in this document addressed label and advertising claims relating to disease prevention. This policy statement reiterated the government's commitment to upholding section 3 of the Food and Drugs Act, confirmed that the practice of relating a specific food product to disease prevention is prohibited under section 3 of the Act and described several situations in which the food industry could deliver information on disease prevention without offending section 3. The document did not, however, specifically address the issue of the use of "heart" symbols and "heart health" claims in food labelling and advertising.
The following policy is intended to further clarify the position concerning the use of "heart" symbols and "heart health" claims, and complements the more general policies of the aforenoted Ad Hoc Intersectoral Committee on Health Information Programs.
The policy will apply to the use of "heart" symbols and "heart health" statements or claims on food labels and food advertisements.
1. Heart Symbols
2. "Heart Healthy", "Heart Healthy (Naming the Food)" or "Heart Healthy Choice" Statements or Claims
As in the case of heart symbols, the use of the term "heart healthy" to describe a food or food choice in food labelling and advertising, may create an erroneous impression regarding the merit or value of the food, by suggesting that it will, by itself, provide heart health. As such terms are considered to constitute a potential violation of subsection 5(1) of the Food and Drugs Act, they should not be used.
3. "Heart Healthy Eating" or "Heart Healthy Diet"
The use of the terms "heart healthy eating" or "heart healthy diet" on the labels and/or in the advertisements for specific foods (e.g., "choose X-brand margarine for your heart healthy diet") may give an erroneous impression about the merit or value of the subject food(s). Objection is taken to the use of these terms in association with individual foods for the following reasons:
4. Misleading Words or Phrases Employing the Term "Heart"
Steps should be taken by food manufacturers, importers and marketers to ensure the correction of domestic and imported product labels, advertisements and menus now bearing heart symbols and heart health statements or claims in contravention of this policy.
In this regard, the removal or correction (i.e., over-stickering) of existing heart symbols as per item #1 and label or menu claims as per items #2, 3 and 4 will be expected within six months from the date of this policy or at the time of next label or menu printing, whichever occurs first. The subject symbols and claims should not be used on new labels, menus or advertisements produced subsequent to the date of this policy.
In the case of the "Heart Smart" Restaurant Program of the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada, a new program is currently being introduced which is in keeping with this policy. Restaurants are being informed of the changes by the provincial Heart and Stroke Foundations, and no additional corrective action is required at this time.
Food Directorate
Health Protection Branch
Health Canada
Food Division
Consumer Products Branch
Consumer and Corporate Affairs Canada*
October 9, 1992
* Consumer and Corporate Affairs ceased to exist as of June 25, 1993. Its responsibilities respecting food labelling and advertising were transferred to the Food Division, Food Production and Inspection Branch of Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (now Bureau of Food Safety and Consumer Protection, Canadian Food Inspection Agency).
Sections 7.1 to 7.9 | Sections 7.10 to 7.17.2 |
Annexe 1 | Annexe 2 | Annexe 3 Annex 4 | Annexe 5 | Annexe 6 | Appendices I - V |
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