Organic Labelling Issues Craig Johnston CFIA

Organic Regulations - Under the Canadian Agricultural Products Act ( CAPA) - Under the Canadian Agricultural Products Act ( CAPA) - Not in force until June 30, 2009 (currently in 75 day comment period)

CGSB Organic Standards - Updated October 2008 (December 2008?) - Referenced heavily in Organic Regulations - $$$$

Labelling Regulations / Standards October (December ?) 2008 Labelling section removed from CGSB Standard…. October (December ?) 2008 Labelling section removed from CGSB Standard…. Feb 14, 2009 Organic Regulations Gazette part I amendments Feb 14, 2009 Organic Regulations Gazette part I amendments June 30, 2009 Organic Regulation in force June 30, 2009 Organic Regulation in force October 2008 – June 30, 2009 Labelling section? October 2008 – June 30, 2009 Labelling section?

Changes to Organic Standards Increased number of permitted substances Increased number of permitted substances Removal of Labelling Section Removal of Labelling Section Allowing sulphites in Organic Wines Allowing sulphites in Organic Wines

“Organic Product” Confusion about “95% rule” Confusion about “95% rule” 5% “free”? 5% “free”? 5% must be made up of: 5% must be made up of: - allowed food additives (or NOI) - ingredients not able to be found in Organic form (cost no excuse) - same ingredient must not be in Organic and non-organic form

Product of Canada If product contains at least 98% Canadian ingredients and “came into being” in Canada, then allowed the claim: “Product of Canada” If product contains at least 98% Canadian ingredients and “came into being” in Canada, then allowed the claim: “Product of Canada”

Other “Canada” Claims “Made in Canada from Domestic and Imported ingredients” “Made in Canada from Domestic and Imported ingredients” “Made in Canada from Imported ingredients” “Made in Canada from Imported ingredients”Or: “Roasted and Blended in Canada” (Coffee) “Roasted and Blended in Canada” (Coffee) “Squeezed in Canada” (Orange Juice) “Squeezed in Canada” (Orange Juice) “Baked in Canada” (Chocolate Cookies) “Baked in Canada” (Chocolate Cookies)

Claims GMO “Free”, GEO “Free” GMO “Free”, GEO “Free” Only permitted on foods (or ingredients) that are normally genetically modified and available in the Canadian market (Corn, Canola, Soya beans) Only permitted on foods (or ingredients) that are normally genetically modified and available in the Canadian market (Corn, Canola, Soya beans)

Claims – cont. Hormone Claims Hormone Claims - Beef: “Raised without the use of hormones” - Other Animals: “Raised without the use of hormones – all (chicken, pork, lamb) in Canada are raised without the use of hormones”

Claims – cont. “Antibiotic Free” “Antibiotic Free” - To read “raised without the use of antibiotics”, or “raised without the use of medication” - No meat is to have antibiotic residues upon slaughter

Claims – cont. “Pesticide Free” “Pesticide Free” - Unfortunately we live in a universally polluted world… unable to verify each piece or lot. - “Free from harmful chemicals” – false uniqueness.

Claims – cont. “Humanely Raised” “Humanely Raised” - All Canadian animals are to be raised humanely (false uniqueness) - “SPCA Certified” - OK as long as they clearly reference internal standards.

Claims – cont. “Naturally Raised” “Naturally Raised” - Only permitted for animals “raised without human intervention” – eg. Wild turkeys, wild salmon.

Claims – cont. “Free Range” “Free Range” - Claim rarely used - Replaced with “Specialty” – with explaination (eg. raised without medication, vegetarian feed) - Access to outside during inclement weather – optics bad…

Claims – cont. Free Run Free Run - Only on egg production – all other situations “false uniqueness” (all meat animals are allowed to be mobile)

Claims – cont. “Premium”, “superior”, “No. 1” “Premium”, “superior”, “No. 1” - Confusion with sanctioned grading systems. - To read “Our Premium”, “Craig’s No. 1”, “Superior taste” etc.

Claims – cont. “Local” “Local” - Within 50 km or definition in B of the Food and Drug Regulations (“local government unit”)- whichever is least restrictive. - Or just name area (Okanagan cherries, Chilliwack Corn) - “B.C. Grown” etc..

Claims – cont. “Organic” vs. “Certified Organic” “Organic” vs. “Certified Organic” - “Organic” claims still allowed for foods produced and sold within province. - Must be certified organic for inter- provincial and international trade.

Looking Forward - Increased scrutiny on Organic Foods - Method of Production claims increasing - “Local”, “100 mile diet” - “Made in Canada” - “Whole Grain”, “Trans Fat Free”, “Omega 3,6”,Sodium reduction claims - Final version of Organic Regulations (Gazette Part II)

Contact Information Craig Johnston Consumer Products – CFIA 400 – 4321 Still Creek Drive Burnaby, B.C., V5C 6S7 Phone: (604) , Fax (604)

Contact Information -Ottawa Michel Saumur National Manager, Organic Office Floor 4, Room Merivale Road, Tower 1 Ottawa, Ontario, K1A 0Y9 Phone (613) , Fax (613)