Food Labelling Modernization (FLM) Presented by: Daniel Miller Executive Director, Food Labelling and Claims Directorate

Transcription

1 Food Labelling Modernization (FLM) Presented by: Daniel Miller Executive Director, Food Labelling and Claims Directorate

2 2 Purpose To provide you with an overview of the Food Labelling Modernization (FLM) initiative, specifically scope, objectives, engagement strategy, schedule, and next steps, as it relates to the Canadian Food Inspection Agency s (CFIA) Change Agenda To obtain your views on: issues on food labelling you may have already raised and would like to restate, and additional issues and comments you may have in the key areas of: roles and responsibilities as it pertains to consumers, industry and government labelling regulations policy and program development and service delivery

3 CFIA s Change Agenda The CFIA has embarked on a change and modernization agenda, propelled by the new Safe Food for Canadians Act (SFCA), with a focus on: stronger food safety rules; more effective inspection; commitment to service; and more information for consumers. The SFCA is the cornerstone of CFIA s sweeping change agenda, that will help bring about legislative change aimed at promoting safer food and better protection to optimize the health and safety of Canadians and make Canadian businesses more competitive globally. Key change agenda initiatives include: Inspection Modernization; Food Regulatory Modernization; Food Safety Action Plan s Import Licensing; Compliance Promotion; and Food Labelling Modernization 3

4 Shared Responsibility for Food Labelling (at the Federal Level) At the federal government level, the responsibility for food labelling requirements is shared between: Health Canada Canadian Food Inspection Agency - Establishes policies, regulations and standards relating to the health, safety and nutritional quality of food sold in Canada. - Enforces the policies and regulations that are developed by Health Canada. - Administers and enforces nonhealth and safety policies and regulations. 4

5 5 Some of the Key Challenges in Food Labelling As it relates to voluntary claims: The CFIA has seen increased usage of voluntary non-health and safety claims by industry The CFIA is also being asked to respond more and more to company-to-company labelling complaints in this area The CFIA has seen focused media attention on these types of claims, which has increased consumers awareness and their expectations of companies, the industry and the CFIA Consumers are also expecting more transparency and action from both industry and government The CFIA recognizes that in this area there are diverse views on the respective roles of consumers, industry and government A number of countries are exploring different ways of responding to these types of non-health and safety claims and redefining the roles and responsibilities of consumers, industry and government

6 6 FLM Objectives and Focus Objectives: Develop a modern and innovative food labelling system within the context of CFIA s priorities and vision and which aligns with the new Safe Food for Canadian s Act and that Focus: Provides a better understanding of roles and responsibilities and continuous improvement as it relates to partnerships with other government departments such as Health Canada and with consumers and industry Appropriately responds to consumer and industry needs around food labelling within CFIA s mandate Promotes smarter regulations and risk-based oversight by Government Improves service delivery such as in relation to inquiries and availability of labelling information and tools Will include all foods, as well as the review of CFIA food labelling frameworks and regulatory, program design and delivery systems Will not include food labelling activities that fall under the mandate of other government departments (for example: Health Canada)

7 7 Key Areas of Focus for FLM Consultation FLM Vision: to design an innovative and modern food labelling system, trusted and respected by Canadians and the international community. Area of Focus Roles and Responsibilities Outcomes Improve compliance by effectively balancing the roles and responsibilities between consumers, industry, and government Regulations Policy and Program Development Service Delivery Better protect consumers and support industry innovation by strengthening the regulatory framework, while considering global standards and approaches. Improve compliance by developing effective policies and programs; that are based on risk; facilitate partnerships and support consistency. Improve service delivery by applying standardized inspection approaches based on risk and prevention, and supported by appropriate services and tools.

8 Overall Focus: It will include all foods, as well as CFIA food labelling frameworks and regulatory, program design and delivery systems. Examples: In Focus All food including imported, domestic, retail; consumer packaged or bulk, further manufacturing Roles, Responsibilities & Partnerships In Focus Examining the roles and responsibilities that consumers, industry and government play in food labelling within the CFIA s mandate 8

9 Regulations In Focus Labelling regulations under CFIA s responsibility list of ingredients - placement of information - standards of identity ingredient class names - grade marks - net quantity best before date - common name type size - dealer name and address Administering labelling requirements for imported and domestic products that fall under CFIA responsibility in the following legislation: - Food and Drugs Act /Food and Drug Regulations - Canada Agricultural Products Act and its regulations - Fish Inspection Act /Fish Inspection Regulations - Meat Inspection Act /Meat Inspection Regulations - Consumer Packaging and Labelling Act/Consumer Packaging and Labelling Regulations Policy and Program Development In Focus Examining policies and guidelines that are within the mandate of the CFIA, and that: no longer respond to industry and consumer needs, contain gaps, or are not harmonized with international standards or agreements Examining CFIA s process for developing and delivering policies, programs and frameworks. 9

10 Service Delivery In Focus Examining inspection activities and tools related to labelling and advertising of food under the responsibility of the CFIA inspection approach and strategy training materials IM/IT tools guidance materials (for example: Guide to Food Labelling and Advertising, Nutrition Labelling Toolkit) labelling website information Enforcing labelling requirements for imported and domestic products as they pertain to: - Food and Drugs Act /Food and Drug Regulations - Consumer Packaging and Labelling Act/Consumer Packaging and Labelling Regulations - Fish Inspection Act /Fish Inspection Regulations - Meat Inspection Act /Meat Inspection Regulations - Canada Agricultural Products Act and its regulations 10

11 Out of Focus: Does not include food labelling activities that fall under the mandate of other government departments (such as Health Canada). Examples: Out of Focus Food for export/ sale outside of Canada Roles, Responsibilities & Partnerships Out of Focus Transferring legislated responsibilities to other government departments 11

12 Regulations Out of Focus Examining labelling regulations under Health Canada s responsibility nutrition labelling and health claims requirements - food additives allergen labelling requirements - fortification genetically modified foods, novel foods - foods for special dietary use food safety related labelling requirements - aspartame and sugar alcohols Labelling regulations under other government department s responsibility, for example: Industry Canada - Office of the Official Languages Competition Bureau - Measurement Canada Examining recently developed or revised labelling regulations under CFIA s responsibility, for example: Organic Products Regulations - icewine standard cheese regulatory amendments Examining labelling regulatory changes under CFIA s responsibility that would make them inconsistent with international standards such as the Codex General Standard for the Labelling of Prepackaged Foods 12

13 Regulations Continued Out of Focus Examining regulations and policies under CFIA responsibility that are not related to labelling of food, for example: animal and plant health microbiological standards agricultural inputs (for example: feed, fertilizers) Examining labeling regulations and policies under provincial and territorial responsibility, for example provincial standards and requirement Nova Scotia Liquor Standards Corporation Ontario Milk Act Requirements for bilingual labelling Metrification in relation to net quantity declaration 13

14 Policy and Program Development Out of Focus Examining policies and guidelines that are outside the mandate of the CFIA Service Delivery Out of Focus Examining inspection activities and tools under CFIA responsibility that are not related to labelling of food, such as related to: animal and plant health microbiological standards agricultural inputs (for example: feed, fertilizers) Labelling Recipe and Registration Unit 14

15 Engagement Strategy for FLM Objective: Identify and analyze issues that will lead to development of recommendations for a more modern and innovative food labelling system Strategy: 2-phased consultation approach focusing on consumers, industry, government aiming to achieve a balanced perspective First phase to focus on issues identification Second phase will engage on potential recommendations for modern and innovative food labelling system Will use various approaches to engagement: discussion paper, online questionnaire, face-to-face listening sessions 15

16 Timelines 16 Overview of Food Labelling Modernization Timeline Stages FLM & Other Initiatives Safe Food For Canadians Act Stage 1: Launch, Engage and Gather Issues Issues Gathered & Engagement Completed 1 Stage 2: Analyse Data and Draft Recommendations Approval of Draft Recommendations 2 Stage 3: Engage on Draft Recommendations & Analyse Data Completed Engagement 3 Stage 4: Finalize Report on Recommendations & Implementation Proposal June- December 2013 January - May 2014 June November 2014 December 2014 June 2015

17 Path Forward Compile the information received from this Forum and include it with other stakeholder feedback we received Communicate with stakeholders (for example: via and the FLM webpage) about upcoming engagement opportunities Continue to align with other CFIA Change Agenda initiatives (for example: Regulator Modernization, Importer Licencing) to coordinate engagement and share information 17

18 Food Labelling Continuum and FLM Areas of Focus: Food for Thought All comes under section 5.1 of the Food and Drugs Act Re: False and Misleading Risk to Health and Safety Food Safety e.g. Allergens Higher Risk Roles, Responsibilities & Partnerships Preventative Health e.g. low fat, low sodium Program Development Service Delivery e.g. Inspection Composition e.g. highlighted ingredients Consumer Values (non-health and safety related) e.g. natural Regulations Policy Development Lower Risk 18

19 Questions 1. What are the specific regulations within the CFIA mandate that require attention in order to modernize food labelling? Are there any gaps? 2. With respect to policy/program development and service delivery, what are the key issues that affect you regarding inspection, guidance, tools and IM/IT? 3. Considering the scope of the inspection and food labelling modernization initiatives (specifically those areas related to non-health and safety consumer values, for example, claims on: natural, local, method of production), What primary challenges or gaps do you observe, as it relates to roles and responsibilities of consumers, industry and CFIA? How can we collectively modernize these roles? 19

20 Please send any comments you may have : By CFIA-Modernisation-ACIA@inspection.gc.ca By mail: Strategic Partnerships Division 1400 Merivale Road, Tower 1 Floor 6, suite 218 Ottawa, ON K1A 0Y9 Canada Attn: Food labelling modernization By fax:

21 Annex 1: Drivers for FLM Consumers Drivers Changes in consumer demand Consumers are becoming more aware and knowledgeable about labels on products, to ensure that products meet their needs (e.g. health and safety; getting best value for money) Higher consumer expectations and increased media attention around labelling requires improved transparency and accountability Industry Drivers Global supply chains have significantly changed the way in which products are processed, produced, packaged and sold Manufacturers are finding more innovative and creative ways to communicate their products to consumers Food processing industry has become more competitive to meet consumers needs Safety Public health Marketplace Deception Country of Origin Quality Consumer Issues Legibility and consistency of information Knowledge of roles and responsibilities of government and industry Industry Issues Level playing field for domestic and imported products Market access Ability to innovate Modernized regulations to keep up with ingredients and technology Consistency of policy interpretation and enforcement Timeliness and coordination Common names 21