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Canadians will see warning labels for foods high in saturated fat, sodium, or sugar, but minced meat will not show anything, the Federal Health Minister announced today.
They are placed in packaged foods that contain at least 15% of the recommended daily value of saturated fat, sugar, or sodium. For pre-packaged meals, the warning will only appear on items that exceed 30% of the recommended daily intake.
The government intends to help Canadians eat healthier because so-called “nutrients of public health concern” are associated with conditions such as cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes. I said there is.
Health Minister Jean-Eve Duclo said Press conference June 30th.
“Surveys show that simple, clear symbols on the front of food packages help consumers choose foods that are low in saturated fat, sugar, and sodium. This type of nutrition label is available in other parts of the world. But it has been used with great success, “Duclos said at a grocery store in Otawa.
“For example, after Chile introduced the symbol on the front of the package, it is estimated that household food purchases are 37% less sodium and 27% less sugar just 18 months after implementation.”
Duclos said minced meat is exempt due to “very important discussions” involving MPs, experts and industry leaders. The resulting decision means that the minced meat does not get the warning label as it does in the case of amputation of muscle.
“”[T]There were some suggestions here to distinguish between the two, but at the end I got this result to clarify, avoid all kinds of confusion and treat the two kinds of meat equally. This is appreciated by both farmers and consumers. “Said.
Labeling pushback
The proposed label was at the center of the controversy earlier this month. Ranchers and some state governments have expressed opposition to putting warning labels on minced meat and beef.
Other countries with similar policies did not warn minced meat. Health Canada has already decided to exempt milk, many cheeses and fruits. Sugar and salt packages are also exempt. The government said it would be redundant to include labels on such products.
Parliamentary Secretary Francis Drouin, Minister of Agriculture and Agriculture, acknowledged the agricultural industry’s achievements in resilience during a pandemic and explained the rationale for excluded foods.
“These exemptions were made for technical, practical, and health-related reasons,” said Drouin, who accompanied Duclos at a press conference.
“Single-ingredient minced meat is also exempt, recognizing that it is as nutritious as the whole cut. This approach allows consumers to make informed choices.”
The Canadian Beef Association stated that the label “blames” ground beef. President Leg Schellenberg welcomed the tax exemption.
“Canada families rely on ground beef as a nutritious and affordable staple food and a key contributor to food security. Excluding ground beef from the misleading warning label requirement. I am happy with the decision of the Canadian Ministry of Health, “Schellenberg said in writing.
The rule is expected to come into effect in 2026, stating that the government will give businesses time to manage package adjustment costs.
The Canadian Cowherd Association has launched Dontlabelmybeef.ca to rally Canadians in opposition to the proposal. This morning, the CCA sent an email to the supporters to inform them of the results.
“For your continued support and action, the Government of Canada has overturned the decision to put a warning label on ground beef, an important and nutritious staple food in households across the country,” the CCA emailed. Said.
“Thank you for stepping up to make affordable, nutritious foods like ground beef available to Canadians.”
The CCA welcomed supporters to take a picture of themselves eating a burger on Canada Day and celebrate the CCA with the #Ilovecanadianbeef hashtag in a social media post.
Use Canadian Press files
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Lee Harding is a Saskatchewan-based journalist and think tank researcher and contributor to The Epoch Times.
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