Warning Labels on Beef: Cattlemen Campaign Against Health Canada 

June 22, 2022

Canadian Cattle producers are raising concerns with Health Canada’s proposed regulations to put a front-of-package warning label on ground beef. 

The proposal from Health Canada is part of several changes to Canada's Food and Drug Regulations. The changes would require the usage of warning labels for foods high in sodium, sugar or saturated fat. 

If Health Canada moves forward with the proposed regulation, Canada will be the only country in the world to put a warning label on ground beef. 

CCA President and Saskatchewan rancher Reg Schellenberg said the organization has started a grassroots initiative to put an end to the proposal. 

"Canada will be the only jurisdiction placing a warning label on a single ingredient protein,” said Schellenberg. “We reassure all of our members, our producer organizations, it's a team effort. Let’s keep up the pressure and please go to our campaign site https://www.dontlabelmybeef.ca/ .”

This move would likely impact consumer confidence and be damaging to Quebec and other beef producers across the country. Approximately 90 percent of Canadians eat ground beef weekly, and adding a warning label on ground beef would send the wrong signal to Canadian consumers, according to the Canadian Cattlemen’s Association. 

Philippe Alain, CCA board member from Quebec, says, “The proposed policy change by Health Canada is misguided and will mislead consumers.”

Sources: Western Ag Network, NAFB