Advocacy
Health Canada proposes use of rosemary extract as food preservative – Food In CanadaFood In Canada
Health Canada is considering permitting the use of rosemary extract as a preservative in brownies, cookies and crackers; dehydrated potato products; noodles and pasta precooked with fat; dried and/or roasted nuts, seeds, and nut or seed spreads; unstandardized snack bars (cereal, fruit or nut bars); and savoury or sweet snack foods (e.g. chips, kernels from soybean or other legumes, popcorn, pretzels, rice cakes).
Federal
Canada, China establish new trade agreements on canola, beef – Food In CanadaFood In Canada
Following a deal to reduce tariffs between Canada and China, the latter is moving to import canola and beef from Canada.
Federal Agriculture Minister Heath MacDonald told reporters on Jan. 20 that a Chinese importer has ordered 60,000 metric tonnes of canola seed with another company expected to ship beef next week.
Porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome viruses (PRRSV) are one of the most devastating classes of viruses affecting farmed pigs, representing significant losses for Canada’s producers and higher prices at the store for Canadian consumers.
Today, Health Canada and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) announced the completion of independent, comprehensive safety assessments on pigs resistant to PRRSV following applications from Genus PLC and PIC Canada, Ltd., respectively. Health Canada has concluded that foods made from these pigs are as safe and nutritious for people to eat as pork currently available in Canada. The CFIA has confirmed that these pigs are also safe and effective for use in livestock feeds.
Low-dose peanut therapy may help protect more kids with peanut allergy
Children with peanut allergies may not need large doses of peanut oral immunotherapy (OIT) to build protection to peanut, finds a new study led by The Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids) and Montreal Children’s Hospital. Researchers found that a small dose can help children with their peanut allergy and reduce the risk of severe reactions from accidental exposures, with less side effects than the current standard treatment.
In an open letter, 164 Canadian doctors, dietitians and health professionals are urging federal and provincial governments to remove processed meats from hospital and school menus.
The professionals highlight that bacon, ham, sausages, hot dogs, and deli meats are classified by the World Health Organization as Group 1 carcinogens. They note that 50 grams of these foods per day increases the risk of colorectal cancer by 18 per cent, which in Canada amounts to an estimated 5,000 preventable cases annually.
PMRA Recent postings of consultations and decisions
The Health Canada Pest Management Regulatory Agency (PMRA) is responsible for pesticide regulation in Canada. The public registry is where you can learn more about all pest control products registered for use in Canada.
- Rectified Clove Leaf Oil and DECCO 070 EC (RD2026-02) Decision Posted: January 22, 2026
- Sedaxane (PMRL2026-01) Open consultation Posted: January 20, 2026
- Prohexadione-calcium (PRVD2026-01) Open consultation Posted: January 19, 2026
Provincial
A new smart-farming project in Delta is helping strengthen food security for British Columbians, while two new training programs will ensure more people have the necessary skills to succeed in the growing agritech sector.
The Commission d’accès à l’information du Québec (the “CAI”), in a decision dated May 20, 2025, assessed the use of a video surveillance cameras installed by 13859380 Canada Inc., doing business as Crane Supply (the “Company”), across its commercial trucks.
Bel Group’s Quebec plant reaches zero waste to landfill status – Food In CanadaFood In Canada
Bel Group Canada’s Babybel manufacturing plant in Sorel-Tracy, Que., achieves zero waste to landfill status.
All residual materials generated at the plant have not been sent to landfill since Dec. 1, 2025.
New rules boost water storage and conservation | alberta.ca
New and expanded Water Act exemptions will increase water availability, improve conservation, support agricultural production and help protect communities from future emergencies.
Ontario Fast-Tracking Access to Six Breakthrough Cancer Drugs | Ontario Newsroom
The Ontario government is continuing to lead the world in cancer care by approving access to six new life-extending cancer treatments through the Funding Accelerated for Specific Treatments (FAST) program. This first-in-Canada initiative is fast-tracking access to breakthrough cancer drugs, giving patients in need faster access to life-changing treatment options. This bold initiative will continue to connect patients to life-saving cancer treatments almost a full year sooner, as part of the government’s plan to protect Ontario’s health-care system.
USA
FDA Takes Steps to Improve Gluten Ingredient Disclosure in Foods | FDA
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration issued a Request for Information (RFI) regarding labeling and preventing cross-contact of gluten in packaged food. The FDA is taking this action as a first step to improve transparency in disclosures of ingredients that impact certain health conditions, such as gluten for those with celiac disease, and other established food allergens.
FDA Releases 2026 Deliverables for Human Foods Program | FDA
Today, FDA’s Human Foods Program (HFP) released its priority deliverables for 2026, as HFP continues to advance its mission, vision, and implementation of its Make America Healthy Again agenda. As part of HFP’s comprehensive plan, these targeted deliverables represent more than incremental progress; they signal a transformation in how HFP fulfills its mission to protect and enhance public health.
In 2026, HFP will build on significant accomplishments in 2025, guided by the three risk pillars at the core of our work, to strengthen and shape the next phase of our efforts. Throughout this year, FDA intends to provide periodic updates on our progress.
2025 has become the embodiment of change for the food industry.
Stemming primarily from the foci and actions of the new administration, the food industry has seen a sweeping transformation in ideology rivaled in recent years only by the rollout of FSMA. From tariffs to MAHA to agency cuts to additives and GRAS reforms, the industry has had to make quick turns while awaiting actual regulations.
As consumers encounter more reports of detectable impurities in everyday foods, concern is likely to grow unless these findings are clearly communicated in the context of potential health risk
International
Kraft Heinz demerger: Will the $28.7bn break-up pay off?
After the collapse of a major merger, Kraft Heinz plans to split into two companies. Will this bold move unlock growth or expose new risks?
Gum acacia supply threatened by Sudan civil war
Acacia gum suppliers are scrambling to secure supply as conflict disrupts agricultural production
Danone and Lactalis Act as Cereulide Contamination Fears Grow
Two dairy majors have pulled infant formula products as cereulide fears spread beyond Nestlé
Safety Share
Electrical product safety – Canada.ca
Are you using your extension cord properly? During these cold winter months, make sure you’re keeping your family safe by following these tips. See the attached link for more information.
Events
The GFSI Conference, set for March 24-26, 2026, in Vancouver, Canada, will bring together more than 600 experts and business leaders from more than 40 countries to find ways to ensure greater action on food safety challenges.
To find out more about the conference and register, click here.
Information sessions
There will be two information sessions on the 2025 Regulations and updates to the Order amending the ECL. To register, please complete the following form before February 16, 2026:
English – February 20, 2026 at 13:30 EST – English session registration form
French – February 19, 2026 at 13:30 EST – French session registration form
You are invited to submit your questions in advance of the sessions either within the registration form or by emailing interdiction-prohibition@ec.gc.ca with the subject line “Information session – Question on the 2025 Regulations and/or the Order”.
Safety Connection: Working For Workers Act – Where Are We Now | WSPS
FREE Webinar 8-Apr-2026 10:30 am EST 1.5 hours
In this session we will review why the working for workers acts were created, and all of the OHSA and Regulation changes that have occurred though the working for workers act releases. The session will also provide guidance and tips to help Employers navigate and implement the various updates and changes.
French 
English