Canadians have made it clear in recent days that they are looking to purchase Canadian-made products and support Canadian businesses. To this end, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) is emphasizing the importance of accurate “Product of Canada” and “Made in Canada” labels on food products.
After seeing an increase in complaints related to origin claims on food labels or in advertisements, the CFIA has issued a reminder in the form of a recent announcement that while they encourage food producers to use these voluntary labels, it is important to ensure that all food products sold in Canada comply with Canadian legislative requirements.
CFIA stresses the importance of consumer confidence in Canadian businesses and says that accurate labelling fosters a fair marketplace and builds trust. Conversely, labelling products in a misleading manner can damage that confidence, at a time when Canada’s food industry plays a critical role, CFIA says.
Consumers and industry members are urged to report any concerns about misleading labels directly to the CFIA through their food complaint web page. Additionally, the CFIA provides resources to help consumers identify Canadian food products, aiding them in making choices that align with their preferences for supporting local businesses.
