Effective April 4 the new halal labeling and advertising
requirements will be enforced following a two-year transition period, says the
Canadian Food Inspection Agency on its website this week.
Amendments to the Food
and Drug Regulations were published in Canada Gazette, Part II
on April 23, 2014.
“As of April 4, all halal claims on food labels, packaging
and advertising materials will need to be accompanied by the name of the
organization or person that certified it as halal,” says the CFIA.
Halal is a religious designation for Muslims; the standards
are vaguely similar to kosher for Jews.
“Halal claims on food are voluntary, however, if a halal
claim is made on a product label, packaging or in advertising, then it must
follow the regulatory requirements,” says the CFIA, adding that it “will take compliance
and enforcement actions if the requirements are not met.
“These changes do not affect food safety. All food sold in
Canada, including halal products, must meet Canada’s stringent food safety
standards."
