The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) is proposing to amend the beer compositional standards under the Food and Drug Regulations (FDR) and has published proposed regulatory changes in the Canada Gazette, Part I. Vol 152.
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) has launched a 90-day public consultation on the proposed changes to beer compositional standards under the Food and Drug Regulations. Consultation feedback and comments ends on September 14, 2018.
The proposed changes would modernize the current beer standard to remove duplication of the standard for ale, stout, porter and malt liquor, as it allows for the same ingredients as beer. The amended FDR would make it clearer for brewers which ingredients could be used. It would also allow industry to be more innovative in developing products to meet consumer interest in having more variety, such as flavoured beers, while maintaining the integrity of beer.
In addition to meeting consumer interest in having more variety of products, the proposed changes to the FDR also include labelling changes that would require brewers to identify food allergens, gluten sources or added sulphites for beer.
Consumers, industry and other stakeholders have until September 14, 2018 to submit their comments to the CFIA.
For more information on the proposed amendment, consult the – What We Heard Report.