Canada proposes guidelines for simulated meat products

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) launched a consultation on November 3 on proposed updates to guidelines for industry on simulated meat, simulated poultry products and certain plant-based protein foods, and is encouraging industry and consumers to submit their views by December 3, 2020

The Government of Canada has reviewed its guidelines to distinguish between the following foods: meat and poultry products, simulated meat and simulated poultry products (i.e. plant-based burgers made to look like a beef burger using ingredients that simulate the red color or fat marbling effect of animal-sourced meat), and other products which do not substitute for meat or poultry products (i.e. properly identified tofu burgers, lentil loaves or soy patties).

Given there is an increase in the availability of new plant-based products on the Canadian market, the CFIA recognizes that some of these foods are neither meat nor poultry and are not intended to substitute for meat or poultry products. So while the requirements for simulated meat and poultry products have not changed, the proposed guidelines have been updated to differentiate simulated meat and poultry products from those that are neither meat nor poultry and not intended to substitute for meat or poultry products.

The proposed guidelines will help ensure market consistency and prevent foods from being mislabeled and outline the rules for labelling, advertising, composition and fortification for such products.