Here are three areas where we focused our efforts: Education, Consultation, and Government Partnership.
Education:
We prioritized equipping members with knowledge and tools to navigate regulatory changes, ensure compliance, and explore new business opportunities in the food and beverage CPG space.
Supplemented Foods: We launched a comprehensive webinar and playbook to guide members through the new regulations for supplemented foods, covering labeling, product formulation, and opportunities for innovation with supplemental ingredients. The updated framework streamlines the process, eliminating the burdensome Temporary Marketing Authorization system.
Front-of-Pack: Starting January 2026, foods and beverages exceeding thresholds for saturated fat, sugars, and sodium will require a front-of-pack symbol. To prepare members, we hosted a webinar with industry experts, tackling topics like label inventory management, packaging redesign, and preserving brand identity.
Recognizing the potential impact on the industry, we also conducted a study to gauge Canadian consumer perceptions of the new label and identify ways brands in the better-for-you category can address potential challenges.
Other Key Webinars to Catch Up On:
Consultation:
As a trusted voice for the CPG sector and NOW industry in Canada, we submitted seven letters to government stakeholders this year, offering feedback for proposed regulations and policy updates on:
- Proposed Regulations Amending Certain Regulations Concerning Food Additives and Compositional Standards, Microbiological Criteria and Methods of Analysis for Food
- Regulatory Modernization of Foods for Special Dietary Use and Infant Foods
- Proposed Updates to the Table of Reference Amounts for Food
- Plant-based Alternatives to Egg Products
- Health Canada’s Food Packaging Program
- Compositional Requirements for Gluten Free Foods and Meal Replacements
- European Union Bilateral Trade Agreement and Organic Equivalency Arrangement
- Food Safety
Government Partnership:
We proudly contributed to shaping Canada’s organic standards through our active participation in the Organic Standards Technical Committee. As a voting member of this Canadian General Standards Board initiative, we played a pivotal role in maintaining and refining the standards that govern organic food in Canada.
Check out one of our latest news articles we published earlier this month to learn more about this work.
As we close 2024, we reflect on our achievements and look ahead to 2025 with optimism. With a Canadian federal election on the horizon and shifts in U.S. leadership, we’re committed to ensuring CHFA members are prepared to adapt and thrive in a changing market.
We’d love to hear from you. Email us at regulatory@chfa.ca.
Let’s work together to make 2025 an even bigger success for the food and beverage CPG industry in Canada. Here’s to growth, innovation, and success in the year ahead!
