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Mercy for Animals Accuses Burnbrae Farms of Lack of Transparency Regarding Chicken Welfare

Mercy For Animals (MFA) criticizes Burnbrae Farms, Canada’s largest family-owned and operated egg producer, for alleged lack of transparency regarding chicken welfare in its supply chain. The group also criticized Burnbrae’s “lack of transparency and continued investment in cages despite touting a commitment to animal welfare.” MFA highlights that, in 2022, Burnbrae reported nearly half its supply shifted to “alternative housing,” including “enriched” cages. The group argues “enriched” cages fail to meet consumer expectations for cage-free standards, likening them to conventional battery cages.

Quebec Superior Court Rejects Rawesome Raw Vegan Inc.'s Challenge to Cheese Labeling Rules

The Quebec Superior Court dismissed a lawsuit by Rawesome Raw Vegan Inc., a vegan cheese company, seeking a declaration that vegan cheese products are not required to adhere to the standards of composition outlined for “cheese” in articles B.08.033 to B.08.054 of the federal Regulations Respecting Food and Drugs. This comes after Rawesome successfully appealed a 2021 conviction that found them guilty of violating food labeling laws by describing their cashew-based products as “cheese.” The Quebec Superior Court overturned the conviction, finding that the labeling laws only applied to dairy-based cheeses. The Attorney General of Canada and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency brought a motion to dismiss the case, citing no live legal question, as there was no current challenge by the government to Rawesome's ongoing use of the term “cheese.” The Court ultimately agreed, noting that Rawesome didn’t have sufficient interest in the matter. National animal law organization Animal Justice intervened in the case, arguing that banning vegan companies from using common words like “milk” and “cheese” is a violation of the Charter rights to freedom of conscience and freedom of expression.

Survey Reveals Canadian Public Supports Cage-Free Labels on Eggs

A recent survey by Bryant Research highlights Canadian consumers' strong desire for enhanced animal welfare and transparency in the food system, particularly concerning egg production. The study reveals that eighty percent of respondents were disappointed to discover that Canada's cage record is worse than the United States’, with seventy-two percent supporting a ban on caged confinement. 87 percent of respondents believe supermarkets should provide transparent information about egg sourcing, and seventy-nine percent urge grocery stores and restaurants to cease selling eggs from caged hens. The findings underscore a significant shift in consumer preferences, emphasizing the need for clearer communication through in-store signage.

Study Reveals Impact of Food Labels on Consumer Choices

A new study, published in the Journal of Environmental Psychology, presents findings from a national experiment on food labels, indicating that consumers are less inclined to choose products labeled as “vegan” or “plant-based” compared to those highlighting health and sustainability benefits. Lead researcher Patrycja Sleboda noted the robustness of results across all demographic groups, with the strongest impact observed among self-identified red meat eaters. The study suggests that emphasizing product benefits, rather than its content, is more effective, shedding light on the ongoing challenge of encouraging meat eaters to adopt more plant-based options for health and environmental benefits.

Cigarette-Style Warning Labels on Food Could Reduce Meat Consumption, Study Says

A new study published in the journal Appetite suggests that graphic warning labels on food, similar to those used on tobacco products, could lead to a seven to ten percent decrease in meat selection. The study involved showing 1,001 meat-eating adults images of meals with health, climate, pandemic warnings, or no labels. Pandemic warnings were the most effective, reducing meat choices by ten percent, followed by health warnings at eight point eight percent, and climate warnings at seven point four percent. The researchers believe their findings could help encourage changes in consumer food choices that could ultimately benefit the environment.

Canadian Food Inspection Agency Updates Labelling Policy for Simulated Meat and Poultry Products

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) has revised its policy on simulated meat and poultry products and their labelling requirements. Previously, all simulated meat and poultry products and their labels were required to meet specific provisions in the Food and Drug Regulations (FDR). These provisions mandate that such products: (i) carry a common name with the term "simulated"; (ii) display "contains no meat" or "contains no poultry" on the label; and (iii) fulfill specific criteria regarding composition and fortification. Under the new guidance, plant-based foods lacking the appearance of meat, poultry, or fish are exempt from these rules. Manufacturers of these exempt items are no longer required to declare the absence of meat or poultry, with the CFIA focusing on the overall impression of the product for assessment. For instance, a nonmeat product which is manufactured to have the appearance of a beef burger by adding components to simulate bleeding must adhere to the requirements set out in the FDR, but a tempeh patty is exempt due to its dissimilarity to meat or poultry.

France Reintroduces Bill to Ban Meat Names for Plant-Based Products

France has introduced revised proposals to prohibit the use of meat-related terms like “steak” and “spare ribs” for plant-based foods produced in the country. The first country in the European Union to attempt to impose such a restriction, a previous attempt to implement a similar measure in June of last year was halted by France's highest administrative court, citing vagueness and insufficient time for implementation. The revised draft decree identifies twenty-one meat-related names that cannot be applied to plant-based items, while approximately 120 terms like “cooked ham” and “sausage” remain permissible, provided they meet specific plant protein thresholds. The decree becomes effective three months after publication, allowing for an adjustment period.

Canada Bans Cosmetic Testing on Animals

Canada has officially banned cosmetics animal testing and trade with the passing of measures through Bill C-47, the Budget Implementation Act. These measures prohibit cosmetics animal testing, ban the sale of products relying on new animal testing data, and prohibit misleading labelling related to animal testing. Animal protection advocates, including Humane Society International/Canada, Animal Alliance Canada, and Cruelty Free International, along with industry partners such as Cosmetics Alliance Canada, Lush Cosmetics, and The Body Shop, have collaborated with the Canadian government to achieve this milestone. Canada now joins over forty jurisdictions and major markets in ending or limiting cosmetics animal testing and sales.

Federal Authorities Take Action Against Maple Leaf Foods for Misleading Claims About Hot Dogs

Maple Leaf Foods is facing repercussions from federal authorities after being accused of misleading advertising regarding their hot dogs, specifically labeling them as a "healthy protein" on their website. The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) stepped in after a complaint was lodged by Debbie Wall, a member of Animal Justice Academy. CFIA verified that using the term "healthy" in conjunction with images of hot dogs could be considered misleading. Consequently, Maple Leaf Foods was required to remove the misleading assertions from their website. CFIA guidelines define “healthy” based on Canada's Food Guide, which promotes plant-based protein and discourages processed meats like hot dogs.

Federal Government Introduces Legislation to Ban Cosmetic Animal Testing

The Canadian government has introduced Bill C-47, the Budget Implementation Act, which includes provisions to prohibit testing cosmetics on animals in Canada and selling cosmetics that rely on new animal testing data. The amendments also aim to prevent false or misleading labelling pertaining to the testing of cosmetics on animals. Animal protection advocates, including Humane Society International/Canada and The Body Shop, have been working with the Canadian government for a decade to advance the legislation. Monica Engebretson, head of public affairs North America, Cruelty Free International, said: “This is a unifying issue that has earned cross-party support in Canada and will match the progress we are seeing around the world as consumers, companies, regulators, and advocates come together to achieve a common goal of ensuring that animals won’t suffer for the sake of cosmetics anywhere.”