Fair Labelling Practices

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Health Canada and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) carry joint responsibility for federal food labelling policies in Canada under the Food and Drugs Act.

Health Canada is responsible for setting food labelling policies with respect to health and safety matters (i.e. nutritional content, special dietary needs etc.). CFIA is responsible for the development of non-health and safety food labelling regulations and policies. The CFIA's Fair Labelling Practices Program administers and enforces the non-health and safety food components of the Food and Drugs Act and the Consumer Packaging and Labelling Act.

CFIA activities include:

• investigating consumer and industry complaints,
• developing programs designed to encourage compliance with the provisions of the respective Acts,
• developing consumer protection policies. 

The key acts and regulations we enforce are:

• Consumer Packaging and Labelling Act
  • Consumer Packaging and Labelling Regulations
• Food and Drugs Act
  • Food and Drug Regulations

Information we provide for consumers includes:

• Allergies and Sensitivities
• Durable Life Information on Food Products
• Eating Well with Canada's Food Guide (Health Canada)
• Labelling of Genetically Engineered Foods in Canada
• Product of Canada
• Whole Grains - Get The Facts (Health Canada)

Information we provide for the food industry includes:

• 2003 Guide to Food Labelling and Advertising 
  • Labelling and Advertising Decisions
• Allergies and Sensitivities  
• Information Letters / Policy Updates
• Meat Cuts Manual
• Nutrition Labelling, Nutrition Claims and Health Claims
• Product of Canada Food Labelling Guidelines - The Canadian Food Labelling Initiative

Additional government and industry information can be found at:

• Health Canada - Food Program
  • General Principles for the Use of Content from Canada's Food Guide Resources in Labelling and Advertising
  • Food and Drugs Regulations
    - Interim Marketing Authorizations
    - Regulatory Proposals
    - Regulatory Amendments
  • Nutrition Labelling