Canadian Food Law Update

Provided below is an overview of developments in Canadian food law and policy in 2009. This update primarily analyzes the regulatory and policy developments and litigation activities by the federal government. This focus reflects the significance of federal activities in the food policy realm. In 2009, regulatory and policy developments continue to be dominated by the 2008 Listeriosis outbreak in ready-to-eat, deli meats.

Other noted activities include Canada's ongoing efforts to minimize the effects of infectious diseases related to meat production, Canada's request for a WTO panel to consider the effects of American Country of Origin Labelling, and an initiative to clarify the application of food labelling regulations to probiotics. The federal government, however, has yet to reinitiate legislative action to overhaul the Food and Drugs Act (FDA) despite repeated signals that it would do so after the death of Bill C-51 in 2008.