Protecting the Integrity of Non-GMO Labelling

The Canadian General Standards Board (CGSB) is currently reviewing the definition of genetic engineering under the National Standard for Voluntary Labelling and Advertising of Foods That Are and Are Not Products of Genetic Engineering.

This definition is different from Health Canada’s safety-based determinations for Novel Foods. Instead, it exists to guide labelling practices and ensure transparency for consumers.

CHFA is actively participating in these CGSB meetings to represent the interests of our members and ensure their perspectives are included in the review process.

Currently, the government is being asked to exclude gene editing from the definition of genetic engineering. If approved, this would allow gene-edited foods to be marketed as “non-genetically engineered”, despite gene editing being scientifically recognized as a form of genetic engineering.

Such a change would blur the meaning of “non-GMO” and undermine the trust that consumers place in our members’ products.

Why It Matters to CHFA Members

Non-GMO is a core product attribute that drives consumer choice and supports meaningful price premiums for our members products.

Excluding gene editing from the definition would erode the clarity and credibility of “non-GMO” claims.

Most importantly, it threatens consumers' right to choose products that align with their values.

Current Advocacy Efforts

CHFA is taking proactive steps to protect transparency and consumer trust of your products:

Consumer Research – We conducted a national survey which found that more than 9 in 10 Canadians believe they have the right to know if gene editing is used in their food. An equally strong majority agree that this information should be clearly disclosed on labels, and that consumers should have the ability to choose whether to purchase gene edited food. We are sharing this Canadian-specific data with policymakers to ensure consumer voices are reflected in labelling decisions.¹

E-Petition – CHFA is part of a national coalition supporting an e-petition calling for stronger transparency measures on Genetically Engineered food. The petition is led by the Canadian Biotechnology Action Network (CBAN) and sponsored in Parliament by Yves Perron (Bloc Québécois). In recent years, the federal government has stepped from away from tracking genetically engineered seeds for food. Protecting transparency in genetic engineering is essential — and labelling is critical to maintaining consumer trust and industry credibility.

The petition is open for signatures from September 5, 2025 to November 3, 2025 and is open to all Canadians. Show your support by signing the petition.

This work builds on CHFA’s long-standing leadership in advancing transparency and integrity in food labelling. Our advocacy has included:

Leading the development and adoption of the CGSB voluntary standard.

Representing members’ interests in past CGSB reviews to keep definitions science-based and consumer-driven.

Defending against attempts to weaken labelling standards.

Educating policymakers, media, and industry on the distinctions between conventional breeding, genetic engineering, and gene editing.

CHFA will continue to keep members updated as this process unfolds, and we will share opportunities for you to get involved.