Health Canada faces pressure to mandate labels on gene-edited pork as transparency debate intensifies

An alliance of farmers and environmental organisations is calling on Health Canada to make labelling mandatory for pork from gene-edited pigs, arguing Canadians have a right to know what they are buying after the federal regulator approved the animals for human consumption earlier this year.

According to CTV News website, the federal agency earlier this year approved the sale of pigs engineered through gene editing for human consumption. Known as PRRSV-resistant pigs, the animals have been modified to withstand Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome Virus (PRRSV).

“It is expected that by addressing PRRSV in pigs, farmers can prevent severe illness and death in their herds, reduce the need for antibiotics, and improve animal welfare,” Health Canada said.


In January, Health Canada said the PRRSV-resistant pigs pose no greater risk to human health than conventional pigs and have no differences in nutritional value.

“Because Health Canada found no health or safety concerns, no special labelling is required for foods from these PRRSV-resistant pigs,” the agency said.

According to the CTV News website, Health Canada says that, apart from removing a gene segment that makes pigs susceptible to PRRSV infection, the animals are otherwise identical to those currently raised on Canadian farms.

There is no legal requirement in Canada to label genetically engineered foods, although companies may follow a voluntary standard if they choose. CBAN says that if approved, pork entering retail markets would become the only genetically modified meat sold in the country.

In a letter to Health Minister Marjorie Michel, the coalition called mandatory labelling “essential,” warning more gene-edited foods could follow. It said voluntary labelling is ineffective and faces uncertainty as the Canadian General Standards Board closes March 31.

Some fear that introducing genetically engineered pork could erode consumer trust unless producers choose to label their products.

Health Canada says its genetically modified food safety framework was developed over two decades with input from the World Health Organisation and the Food and Agriculture Organisation. With about 70 per cent of Canadian pork exports worth $5.5 billion annually, companies must also consider rules in major export markets.