Summary: There is no mandatory labeling of genetically engineered foods in Canada, despite intensive campaigning and 10 years of polling that show over 80% of Canadians want these labels. Instead, a national standard for voluntary labeling has been established - but this is voluntary and no company has labeled their products as containing GE ingredients! At least 40 countries around the world have labeling laws including Europe, China and Russia.

Your Actions Worked!

Update: Codex and Labeling

May 11, 2010: Thanks to your letters, the Canadian government delegation to the UN Codex meeting last week did not boldly ally itself with the U.S. position against GM food labeling. The U.S. failed in their attempts to stop the negotiations.

The Canadian government did not speak up to support the nonsensical position from the U.S. that GM foods are no different from foods produced through conventional methods. Though not yet actively supporting a positive position on GM labeling, Canada did not obstruct the meeting and the U.S. was not able to put an end to the negotiations. Out of the over 50 countries at the negotiations, the U.S. was only supported in its position by Mexico, Costa Rica, and Argentina.

Codex recommendations on GM labeling could protect developing countries from challenges brought through the World Trade Organization.

The U.S. was trying to put an end to the UN Codex negotiations on GM labeling but the negotiations will continue. There will be an important Codex meeting in May 2011 in Quebec City - and we must continue to pressure the Minister of Health. The Canadian Biotechnology Action Network (CBAN) will continue to take action and monitor this issue, as well as collaborate with U.S. groups. Please see below from Consumers Union in the U.S.

May 10, 2010, Consumers Union Press Release:U.S. Stands Nearly Alone in Opposition at Recent International Meeting

April 30, 2010 - Press Release: Canada to oppose the right of countries to label GM foods?Regroupement québécois contre les OGM (RQcOGM), Canadian Biotechnology Action Network (CBAN)

April 30, 2010 - Read CBAN's letter to the Minister of Health.

Developing countries want support from Codex for their right to label GM foods. The US and Canada want to make sure this doesn’t happen because Codex recommendations on GM labeling could protect developing countries from challenges at the World Trade Organization. Developing countries are pressing for recommendations on GE labeling from Codex to assist their efforts to provide information to consumers.

What is Codex?

Codex Alimentarius means “food code”. The Codex Alimentarius Comission is a UN process established in the 1960s by the United Nationals Food and Agriculture Organization and the World Health Organization. Through Codex, national governments meet to negotiate and harmonize guidelines for food safety assessments and other standards including food labeling. Codex guidelines are voluntary and non-binding but are an international reference point for countries. Codex standards are now the benchmarks against which national food measures and regulations are evaluated in the event of trade disputes brought forward by countries through the World Trade Organization.

Consumer organizations are able to register to participate in Codex meetings and can also submit written comments for consideration. Click here to go to the Codex website.

May 5, 2009: Canada Must Support UN Negotiations on Labeling of Genetically Modified Foods: Codex meeting in Calgary could suspend work on GM food labeling. Update: Despite US and Canadian objections, the Codex meeting agreed to continue their work to develop guidelines for labeling GM foods.