With Canadians becoming increasingly apprehensive about the quality of imported food items selling under the grab of ‘Made in Canada’ or ‘Product of Canada’ labels, the government has decided to introduce new stringent guidelines for the use of these labels.

The current food labelling guidelines, unchanged since the 1980s, do not clearly reflect the actual Canadian content in foods sold in Canada. Under them, any food item can carry these labels if 51 per cent of its production cost is incurred in Canada and it goes through its final production stages in Canada.

Announcing major changes in food labelling guidelines, Prime Minister Stephen Harper said Wednesday that all food items bearing the ‘Made in Canada’ and ‘Product of Canada’ labels would now carry the contents procured and processed or manufactured only in Canada.

A qualified ‘Made in Canada’ label can be used for products containing imported ingredients as long as these are manufactured or processed in Canada.

Harper said, "Our new guidelines are designed to redefine Canadian food content labels to better reflect the true origins of products in today’s global marketplace.

"Our government is tightening the definitions of these familiar labels, so Canadians know exactly what they’re getting, and get exactly what they want."

Harper said, "Today’s announcement is the latest step in our government’s plan to bring Canada’s consumer product regulation into the modern era."

Under its Food and Consumer Safety Action Plan, the Canadian government has undertaken a series of initiatives aimed at establishing tougher regulation of food, health and consumer products, including a controversial ammendment to the Food and Drug Act that would see herbal remedies and natural health products treated in the same way as prescription drugs.

The government will seek suggestions from the public and stakeholders before finalizing the new food labelling guidelines.