The Canadian Food Inspection Agency is temporarily suspending some labeling requirements during the COVID-19 pandemic crisis.
The CFIA said it “will generally not object to the retail sale of food products made, packaged and labelled in Canada that were destined for foodservice use in Canada or the U.S. provided these products:
- meet Canadian food safety requirements
- are not labelled in a manner that is false, misleading or deceptive
- include the following specific labelling information:
1. a common name
2. a list of ingredients and an allergen declaration, if applicable
3. a name and contact information for the person responsible for the food
4. a net quantity (in metric or imperial units)
5. a lot code identifier (such as, date of production, best before date, lot number)
6. storage instructions and best before date, if applicable
7. directions for use, if applicable (such as, safe cooking instructions)
8. food safety statements for meat or fish, if applicable (for example, previously frozen, mechanically tenderized meat).
The agency said it “strongly recommends” that labels are in both English and French.
