Consultation on the "Product of Canada" Guidelines

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Since the new guidelines came into effect, Canadian consumers have told us that they support the objectives of the "Product of Canada" Guidelines. However, food processors indicated that it may not be easy to find and maintain Canadian sources for some ingredients. For this reason, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency and Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada conducted consultations with approximately 3100 consumers and industry stakeholders through online and telephone surveys. The consultation gathered the opinions on the merit of exempting the imported ingredients sugar, salt and vinegar from disqualifying a product from the use of a "Product of Canada" claim. Almost half of those consulted did not want any exemptions.  These consultations did not support such exemptions; therefore, the Government of Canada is maintaining the current guidelines, with no changes to its current policies regarding these claims.