From the Canada Food Inspection Agency
http://www.inspection.gc.ca/english...on-part1e.shtml
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On June 16, 2001, Health Canada's regulatory proposals for the following three types of nutrition information were published in the Canada Gazette, Part I:
- Nutrition labelling: mandatory Nutrition Facts on prepackaged foods, listing calories and 13 nutrients, with a few exemptions;
- Nutrition claims: updates to the requirements for nutrient content claims (i.e., "low sodium");
- Diet related health claims: new claims permitted for foods that are suitable for diets that reduce the risk of certain chronic diseases, such as heart disease or cancer.
More information on the regulatory proposal can be found on Health Canada's web site.
(I will post this info. & links below in a reply message - D.)
The comment period on the proposal is 90 days from the date of publication in the Canada Gazette, Part I. Once comments are considered, final regulations will be published in Canada Gazette, Part II. It is proposed that required label changes must be complete within two years for most food processors and three years for small processors. The proposed nutrition information must not appear on food labels until after the final regulations are published in Part II of the Canada Gazette.
The following list of questions and answers provides information on the Canadian Food Inspection Agency's role with respect to these proposed regulations.
1. Question: What is the Canadian Food Inspection Agency's (CFIA) role?
Answer: The CFIA is responsible for enforcing the food provisions of the Food and Drugs Act and Regulations. As such, the CFIA would enforce the requirements for nutrition labelling, nutrition claims and diet related health claims if the proposed amendments are adopted.
2. Question: What is the food industry's role ?
Answer: Manufacturers and distributors are responsible for assuring that the nutrition information on their product labels and in advertising is accurate and in compliance with federal requirements.
3. Question: How would CFIA enforce the final regulations?
Answer: The CFIA would continue to enforce the provisions of the Food and Drug Act and Regulations as it currently does. With regard to the new regulations, the CFIA would encourage and verify compliance through education, inspection and enforcement. Enforcement and compliance actions that may be taken include label and/or formula correction, seizure and detention of products, forfeiture of products, and prosecutions.
4. Question: How would the CFIA verify the accuracy of nutrient values for nutrition labelling?
Answer: As part of its compliance and enforcement program, the CFIA verifies the accuracy of nutrient information by means of laboratory analysis using the tolerances and sampling plans set out in the Guide to Food Labelling and Advertising, section 6.3. The CFIA plans to issue a consultation document on a proposed update to this policy guideline later this summer for comments of stakeholders.
5. Question: How many samples must manufacturers or distributors analyze to determine the nutrient levels for a product?
Answer: The CFIA recommends nutrient analysis as the preferred method for assuring accuracy of label values. The number of samples to analyze for each nutrient is determined by the variability of each nutrient in a food. Fewer analytical samples would be needed for nutrients that are less variable. The sampling plan should encompass factors that affect variability, such as location or season.
6. Question: What analytical methods should be used for nutrient analysis?
Answer: Nutrients should be analyzed using the methods in the most recent edition of the Official Methods of Analysis of AOAC International or equivalent methods, except where a method is required by regulation (i.e., protein rating).
7. Question: Would it be permitted to use nutrient data bases to calculate the nutrient values of foods and food ingredients for nutrition labelling?
Answer: If manufacturers choose to use data base values to calculate nutrient information, they should be assured of the accuracy of this information. It must be representative of their food products and/or food ingredients in their products. In general, some analysis is recommended to verify the accuracy of the data base.
8. Question: Would the CFIA or Health Canada review nutrient data bases to be used by the food industry for labelling purposes?
Answer: The government encourages the food industry to develop representative data bases for single ingredient raw commodities such as fresh fruit and vegetables, meat and poultry cuts, fish and seafood. The government would provide some guidance on the development of such data bases, but would not review or approve them.
Last update: June 21, 2001
Health Canada Food Labelling Regulations - Update
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