The federal government is lifting its nearly two-year pause on reviews of pesticide maximum residue limits (MRLs), while also introducing a ban on cosmetic pesticide use on federal land. Ministers representing Health Canada, Environment and Climate Change Canada, and Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada shared the multi-pronged announcement on Tuesday as part of the government’s larger… Read More
Tag: Health Canada
Saskatchewan politicians who made a very public accusation of trespassing by Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) scientists have received an equally public response from the federal environment minister, Steven Guilbeault. In a letter to Jeremy Cockrill, the minister responsible for Saskatchewan’s Water Security Agency, dated August 24, Guilbeault writes: “I believe that we, and… Read More
Although ground meat, such as beef or pork, is a single-ingredient food product, proposed regulation changes by Health Canada could require front-of-package labelling warning of the food’s saturated fat content. Single-ingredient foods, such as eggs, vegetables, and fruit, are usually exempt from some labelling requirements, under Health Canada. Other countries that have implemented front-of-package regulations… Read More
Health Canada has issued a long-awaited clarification on how it will regulate different forms of plant breeding, including newer gene-editing methods. Genetically modified crops are deemed “novel” under Canada’s regulatory framework, requiring an expensive multi-year safety review before being approved for sale, but there was uncertainty about whether gene-edited crops would also be treated as… Read More
The Pest Management Regulatory Agency will house a new science advisory committee on pest control products. The Government of Canada has launched a call for nominations for the committee. Those who serve will be expected to “provide advice, as appropriate, prior to certain evidence-based federal decisions on pesticides, including on maximum residue limits.” In addition, the committee’s… Read More
Health Canada has decided against completely banning outdoor use of two of the most common neonicotinoid active ingredients, but there will be new restrictions on their use as corn and soybean seed treatments. After proposing a ban in 2018, the department published the final decisions for its special reviews of clothianidin and thiamethoxam on Wednesday…. Read More
Health Canada has confirmed that docosahexaenoic acid (DHA)-refined canola oil is safe for human consumption. The highly refined oil is derived from Nuseed’s omega-3 canola. The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) has also determined that DHA canola crude oil and meal are safe for aquaculture and livestock feed, respectively. The organization also confirmed the omega-3… Read More
Citing the need to review new research, Health Canada is delaying the final decision on outdoor uses of all three neonicotinoid insecticides, thiamethoxam, clothianidin, and imidacloprid. While neonics originally came under scrutiny for their apparent risk to honeybees and other pollinator species, Health Canada’s review findings, announced in early 2019, found only certain instances where… Read More
Often prescribed for curing thrush and other fungal infections of humans and a common ingredient in foot and hoof treatments for livestock, Health Canada has come out and said gentian violet increases the risk of cancer and is urging everyone — farmers included — to stop using any products that include the ingredient. Following a… Read More
Health Canada has completed its re-evaluations of the neonicotinoid pesticides clothianidin, imidacloprid, and thiamethoxam in relation to the insecticides’ potential impact on bees and other pollinators. The final decision, announced today, reflects scientific assessment that shows “varying effects on bees and other pollinators” from exposure to each of these pesticides, Health Canada says. The department… Read More