The enforcement of the Canadian Organic Products Regulations have been subject to the Stream of Commerce and Enforcement Policy since June 2009.  It was expected that producers would comply fully with the regulations within two years of the coming into force date.  CFIA now gives notice that as of June 30, 2011 the Stream of Commerce and Enforcement Policy will be replaced by the standard CFIA compliance and enforcement activities.  The Canadian Organic Products Regulations apply to all domestic and foreign organic products. CFIA standard enforcement measures include, but are not limited to, seizures and detentions, corrective labelling, refusal of entry to Canada and retail removal.  For details on the upcoming enforcement and compliance strategies please link to http://www.inspection.gc.ca/english/fssa/orgbio/20110310inde.shtml.

Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) and Health Canada (HC) join together to present a 90 minute webcast on March 24, 2011 at 1:00 pm (ET) regarding the proposed policy for the revised definition of energy value for dietary fibre and novel food regulations. Link to http://w.on24.com/r.htm?e=295431&s=1&k=F4ABFE5A280BEB87B6271FC382C7E7CF for more details and to register.

Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC)  has made the recorded webcast of the Canadian Food Health Claim Road Maps - Part 1 An Overview and Part 2 A Case Study available. Click on these links and register to view the recordings. To view a full list of events that have been published to the AAFC Food Policy and Regulatory Issues website link to http://www4.agr.gc.ca/AAFC-AAC/display-afficher.do?id=1281029138003&lang=eng.

Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC)  has made the recorded webcast of the AAFC and Health Canada (HC) joint webcast presentation regarding the proposed policy for the revised definition of energy value for dietary fibre and novel food regulations available on the AAFC website Link to http://w.on24.com/r.htm?e=295431&s=1&k=F4ABFE5A280BEB87B6271FC382C7E7CF to view.

Products containing grain-based cereals like oats and barley may contain low levels of wheat. Therefore, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) is recommending that  "manufacturers and importers of grain-based products to transition towards the inclusion of precautionary labelling (a 'may contain wheat' statement) on their products to indicate the potential presence of wheat."  These measures are "encouraged unless these grains have been specially grown, harvested and processed in a manner to ensure exclusion of wheat."   Click on this link to view CFIA's document http://www.inspection.gc.ca/english/fssa/labeti/allerg/20110520inde.shtml. Health Canada's guidance on precautionary allergen labelling may be found by clicking on the following link http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/fn-an/label-etiquet/allergen/precaution_label-etiquette-eng.php.

"Importers and retailers of certain food and beverages, particularly juices, sport and energy beverages and jams, imported from Taiwan" are being alerted to concerns of the presence of non-permitted emulsifier DEHP [Di-Ethyl Hexyl Phthalate, also known as, Bis (2-ethylhexyl) phthalate] in some beverages (up to 600 ppm levels). The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) notes that the Taiwanese authorities have initiated recall actions of particular brands. DEHP is prohibited to be used in foods/beverages as a food additive. Furthermore, this chemical is regarded as a toxic substance in Schedule 1 of the Canadian Environmental Protection Act. "There are likely no acute toxic effects at the levels currently being found, which are being reported as 2.5 to 34 mg/kg (ppm)" states CFIA in their notification to industry (link to http://www.inspection.gc.ca/english/fssa/invenq/20110531be.shtml for more). You can find more on this compound from Health Canada's website at: http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/ahc-asc/media/nr-cp/_2011/2011_07fs-eng.php. Currently, ongoing investigations are underway to determine the full scope of this matter, including any other types of food products that may have been impacted by the addition of this emulsifier. Refer to the CFIA letter (http://www.inspection.gc.ca/english/fssa/invenq/20110531be.shtml) for advice from CFIA in determining if this compound may affect your food/beverage products and how to proceed from there.

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) has recently updated the General Principles of Food Hygiene, Composition and Labelling. You can find this document by clicking on http://www.inspection.gc.ca/english/fssa/invenq/princ/prince.shtml.

In February 2010, Health Canada (HC), Bureau of Chemical Safety, Food Directorate invited comments on proposals respecting food colour labelling. The comment period closed in May 2010 and now Health Canada has posted stakeholders' comments on their website. {http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/fn-an/consult/_feb2010-food-aliments-col/food-aliments-col-summary-sommaire-eng.php}.

Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) and Health Canada (HC) have announced the dates and times for up-coming webcasts to "provide participants with the opportunity to gain a thorough understanding of the regulatory amendments for food allergen labelling, including strengthened requirements for priority food allergens (including mustard seed), gluten sources and added sulphites. Participants will hear first-hand from a Health Canada expert and have the opportunity to ask questions." When (English): Tuesday, October 4, 1:00-2:00 EDT When (French): Wednesday, October 5, 1:00-2:00 EDT Link to http://www4.agr.gc.ca/AAFC-AAC/display-afficher.do?id=1170955456381&lang=eng for more information on the subject matter.
Please note that at this time the registration links have not been posted. We will continue to keep you informed apprised once registration opens up to the public.