Category: Canadian regulations

Health Canada has repeatedly confirmed the safety of acesulfame potassium, a high-intensity sweetener approved for use since at least 1994, putting to rest claims that it is banned. This is based on comprehensive scientific evaluations and international consensus regarding this popular sugar substitute.

According to Health Canada, food additives are regulated under the Food and Drugs Act and are substances added to food to achieve a technical effect, such as preservation or enhanced appearance. While many consumers are concerned about the presence of these chemicals, understanding Canadian food regulations is key to separating fact from fiction.

According to Statistics Canada data, approximately one-third of Canadians have insufficient vitamin D levels, highlighting a common nutrient gap. Understanding what is supplemented in Canada, from mandatory fortification to personal dietary supplements, is essential for making informed health decisions.

Health Canada banned the use of recombinant bovine somatotropin (rbST), an artificial growth hormone, in dairy cattle back in 1999 due to animal health concerns. This regulation is a key reason why Canadian milk does not have artificial growth hormones and undergoes rigorous testing to ensure it is free from antibiotic residues.

Since 1999, Health Canada has prohibited the use and sale of artificial growth hormone rbST in Canadian dairy farming, a move made over concerns for animal health. So, are growth hormones allowed in Canada for other purposes? The answer is nuanced, with different rules applying to various animals and medical contexts.

According to a 2014 study based on CFIA test results, 16.7% of more than 1,000 packaged foods showed 'unsatisfactory' nutrition label values, with laboratory results exceeding declared values by over 20%. These findings highlight that while regulated, Canadian nutrition labels are not perfectly precise.

By January 1, 2026, all prepackaged foods sold in Canada that are high in saturated fat, sugars, and/or sodium must display a new front-of-package (FOP) nutrition symbol. This key change is part of broader new labeling regulations for Canada designed to help consumers make more informed food choices.

While the United States' FDA considers Butylated Hydroxytoluene (BHT) generally recognized as safe, Canada has a much stricter stance on this food preservative. This reflects Canada's broader regulatory approach to food additives compared to its southern neighbor, driven by differing assessments of potential health risks associated with BHT.

According to a 2023 report by Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, over half of Canadian consumers seek out organic food at least occasionally. This reflects a growing interest in understanding what "Canada organic" means, a term regulated by strict federal standards under the Canadian Organic Regime.

Over 90 complaints were made to the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) regarding confusing country-of-origin claims in just over half a year, highlighting widespread consumer uncertainty. The symbol that is often mistaken for a black Canadian flag on food items is actually a specific federal food safety inspection mark, not an origin indicator.