CANADA – In response to the growing availability and consumer interest in plant-based foods in Canada, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) is proposing new guidelines to clarify the labelling of plant-based egg substitutes.
This aims to ensure that these alternatives are clearly differentiated from traditional egg products, helping consumers make informed choices and maintaining fair marketing practices across the industry.
The CFIA’s proposed guidelines focus on how plant-based alternatives to egg products should be labelled and presented to avoid confusion with actual egg products.
The agency is calling for feedback from a diverse range of stakeholders, including consumers, food industry professionals, and organizations involved in Canada’s food sector.
The objective is to refine the guidance to ensure that it effectively prevents misleading representations and provides a level playing field for all products.
Key areas of discussion include whether the proposed guidelines sufficiently distinguish plant-based substitutes from their egg counterparts and if these guidelines could be applicable to other plant-based food categories.
The CFIA also seeks input on the clarity of existing labels for plant-based egg alternatives from a consumer perspective.
It is important to note that the CFIA is not suggesting any changes to the current regulations.
Under existing Canadian food laws, product labels and advertisements can indicate that a product is similar to or comparable with egg products, provided the overall impression is not misleading.
The new guidance aims to offer more specific instructions to help businesses adhere to these rules more effectively.
The Canadian market for plant-based foods is expanding rapidly, driven by increasing health and environmental awareness among consumers.
Current statistics indicate that 61% of Canadians use plant-based products, with approximately 2.3 million vegetarians and 850,000 vegans across the country, predominantly in British Columbia.
As the popularity of these products grows, the CFIA’s initiative seeks to support transparency and accuracy in food labelling, ensuring consumers receive clear and truthful information.
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