Published in The Hill Times, November 5, 2025
Consumers want labels for genetically engineered foods: CBAN rep
Canadians are looking for the “Product of Canada” or “Made in Canada” label on grocery store products – but that’s not the only label they want to see.
New genetic technologies are being used by companies to develop a wide range of genetically engineered foods that could soon be in Canadian grocery stores, and Canadians are demanding transparency right on the package.
Techniques of gene editing, such as CRISPR, supercharged by Artificial Intelligence, could lead to many genetically engineered fruits and vegetables in grocery produce sections.
Many of these new gene-edited foods will enter the market without Health Canada safety assessments, and with only an encouragement that companies voluntarily disclose them to the department.
Polster found Canadians overwhelmingly support mandatory labelling of genetically engineered foods. Its latest poll, commissioned by the Canadian Biotechnology Action Network and the Quebec Network Vigilance OGM (GMO Watch), puts this number at 83% of Canadians, with the number even higher in Quebec at 87%.
This concern over transparency has been recognized by MP Yves Perron, MP (Berthier—Maskinongé), who is his party’s agriculture critic. Mr. Perron authorized e-petition 6768 which calls on the House of Commons to establish mandatory labelling. The petition was launched by the Canadian Biotechnology Action Network in partnership with Kids Right to Know.
Two ministers must take action right away. The Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, Heath MacDonald, is responsible for consumer product labelling for non-health reasons. His colleague Health Minister Marjorie Michel can likewise transform “voluntary transparency” for unregulated gene-edited foods into a mandatory registry to provide Canadians with the transparency they deserve.
by Lucy Sharratt, Coordinator, Canadian Biotechology Action Network.
