Examining the role of industry lobbying on Canadian front-of-pack labelling regulations.

Abstract

Health Canada recently issued a Marketing Authorization to expand the eligibility of the dairy-related exemption for Canadian front-of-pack labelling (FOPL) regulations. The 2024 Marketing Authorization exempts dairy-related products that are a 'source of calcium,' rather than only 'high in' calcium as previously regulated, from displaying a 'High in' front-of-pack nutrition symbol, regardless of their saturated fat and sodium levels. The Marketing Authorization, heavily influenced by the food industry, lacks strong scientific evidence to support its adoption. Although there is a high prevalence of inadequate calcium intakes among Canadians, the Marketing Authorization will exempt more dairy-related products that are significant contributors of saturated fat and sodium for Canadians. While providing very little calcium, many dairy-related products, particularly cheese products, are 'high in' saturated fat and/or sodium. Expanding the exemption criteria will allow dairy-related products with little health benefits to be reflected as 'healthy' (i.e., not display a 'High in' nutrition symbol), blunting the potential impact that FOPL regulations could have on improving the diets of Canadians. We strongly urge Health Canada to reconsider the expansion of the exemption and encourage others to conduct policy-relevant research and participate in the policy decision-making process to promote evidence-informed public health policies for the health of Canadians.