Health Canada is set to redefine its food-safety rules in a way that could allow meat from cloned animals, specifically beef and pork, to enter Canada’s food market without prior safety assessments or any mandatory labeling. Under proposed changes to the country’s Novel Foods policy, cloned livestock would no longer be classified as “novel,” effectively removing the requirement for pre-market review by regulatory authorities. As a result, these products could be sold alongside conventional meat with no visible distinction for consumers.

Officials from Health Canada argue that research supports the safety of meat from cloned animals, stating that it is indistinguishable on a molecular level from traditional meat. The Canadian Food Inspection Agency is on board with the revision, citing this lack of meaningful difference as justification for excluding cloned animals from stricter oversight. Critics, however, warn that the shift happens with minimal public consultation, sidelining consumer awareness and choice.

One prominent voice raising the alarm is duBreton, a family-owned producer of organic and certified humane pork. The company has emphasized that it does not use cloning in its operations and has urged other food brands to adopt voluntary, verifiable labeling strategies. duBreton warns that without such measures, there may soon be no way for shoppers to tell whether the meat they purchase comes from cloned animals, unless it carries an organic label.

As regulatory and industry debates intensify, questions have also emerged about transparency and consumer trust. Observers note that, while some countries require cloned-animal products to be labeled or reviewed, Canada is moving in the opposite direction. The lack of visible disclosure may undermine consumer confidence and make it difficult for shoppers to make informed decisions.

The change represents a shift in how food is managed and how much control consumers have over what ends up on their plates.