Log in or register
Share on LinkedInShare on LinkedIn

ARTICLE · 25 AUGUST 2026

Canada’s Proposed Food Packaging Framework Would Require Notification Of FCMs

Bergeson & Campbell
Explore more from Bergeson & Campbell

Health Canada has launched a public consultation on a proposed mandatory food packaging framework that would require notifications for all food contact materials sold in Canada. The initiative aims to enhance oversight of chemical exposures through a new knowledgebase system that cross-references submitted information against evaluated materials, with a five-year phase-in period anticipated following regulatory development.

CanadaConsumer Protection
Lynn L. Bergeson Esq.
Lynn L. Bergeson Esq.
Carla Hutton
Carla Hutton
Author LinkedIn connections

Anticipating an increase in the use of recycled plastics, Health Canada has begun a public consultation on a high-level overview of a proposed food packaging framework. Under Canada’s Food and Drug Regulations (FDR), Health Canada currently conducts a premarket assessment of a food contact material (FCM) only when a request is voluntarily submitted. According to Health Canada’s consultation document, this “may limit Health Canada’s ability to proactively identify and respond to emerging chemical risks associated with food packaging.” Under the proposed food packaging framework outlined in the consultation document, there would be a mandatory notification requirement for FCMs. Comments are due October 9, 2026. Health Canada will use the comments to develop the recommendations further on options for a mandatory food packaging framework.

We operate a free-to-view policy, asking only that you register in order to read all of our content. Please login or register to view the rest of this article.

Register for freeORLog in

The content of this article is intended to provide a general guide to the subject matter. Specialist advice should be sought about your specific circumstances.

View source

Related Articles

Legal Intelligence Newsletters: sign up for the latest legal and regulatory news on your chosen topics

Read more about

Related Comparative Guides

See more popular content from

Article

The Warranty Of Good Working Order: New Québec Consumer Protection Regulation Takes Effect October 5, 2026

Starting October 5, 2026, Québec will introduce a new statutory warranty of good working order for consumer goods such as appliances and electronics, with minimum warranty periods ranging from 3 to 6 years. The legislation imposes disclosure obligations on manufacturers and merchants while prohibiting any attempts to exclude or limit this warranty. Businesses operating in Québec must adapt their practices to comply with these consumer protection requirements or face potential compliance issues.
CanadaConsumer Protection
Gowling WLG
Gowling WLG
Article

Peptides In Canada: Regulatory Reality Is Catching Up With The Hype

Health Canada's recent enforcement action against unauthorized injectable peptides signals a regulatory shift that wellness companies cannot afford to ignore. While peptides dominate influencer marketing and online wellness spaces, their legal status in Canada depends on factors far more complex than social media trends suggest. Understanding how route of administration, therapeutic claims, and market authorization intersect is now critical for compliance.
CanadaConsumer Protection
Gowling WLG
Gowling WLG
Article

Garantie légale de bon fonctionnement au Québec : commerçants et fabricants, êtes-vous prêts pour le 5 octobre 2026?

À compter du 5 octobre 2026, une nouvelle garantie légale de bon fonctionnement s'appliquera aux électroménagers et appareils électroniques neufs vendus ou loués à long terme au Québec. Cette garantie, découlant de la Loi 29, impose de nouvelles obligations aux commerçants et fabricants, de l'affichage des prix au traitement des réclamations. Découvrez les biens visés, les durées applicables et les étapes concrètes pour assurer
CanadaConsumer Protection
BCF Business Law
BCF Business Law
Article

Legal Warranty Of Good Working Order In Quebec: Merchants And Manufacturers, Are You Ready For October 5, 2026?

Starting October 5, 2026, Quebec will implement a new legal warranty of good working order for household appliances and electronic devices, requiring merchants and manufacturers to adapt their practices from price display to claims handling. What obligations will businesses face under Bill 29's amendments to the Consumer Protection Act, and how can they prepare for compliance before the deadline?
CanadaConsumer Protection
BCF Business Law
BCF Business Law
Article

New Performance Standards For Button/Coin Batteries And Products Containing Them Now In Effect In Canada

Health Canada has introduced mandatory performance standards for consumer products containing button/coin batteries, requiring immediate compliance from manufacturers, importers, advertisers, and sellers. Companies must now certify that their products, packaging, and labelling meet specified safety criteria or equivalent standards to mitigate ingestion hazards. This regulatory update offers a more flexible, outcomes-based approach compared to the prescriptive requirements of Reese's Law in the United States
CanadaConsumer Protection
McMillan LLP
McMillan LLP
Article

Regulation Of Food-Contact Materials In Canada

Canada maintains a sophisticated yet largely voluntary system for regulating food-contact materials, placing primary responsibility on industry to ensure packaging safety. While Health Canada offers Letters of No Objection (LONOs) as written assurances, this regulatory framework may soon shift toward a mandatory positive list approach, fundamentally changing how food packaging materials are assessed and approved in the Canadian market.
CanadaConsumer Protection
Steptoe LLP
Steptoe LLP
Article

Quebec’s Bill 24: New Consent Requirements For AI Generated Advertising And The Legal Risks Business Cannot Afford To Ignore

Quebec's new Bill 24 prohibits businesses from using a person's identity or image in consumer advertising without consent, creating significant compliance obligations for companies using AI-generated content, synthetic voices, and digitally altered spokespersons. The legislation introduces broad enforcement powers and extends liability beyond content creators to platforms that distribute or facilitate unauthorized representations.
CanadaConsumer Protection
Miller Thomson
Miller Thomson
Article

Canada Considers Positive List Approach For Food Contact Substances

Health Canada has launched a public consultation on a proposed regulatory overhaul that would fundamentally transform how food packaging materials are evaluated and approved for use in Canada. The agency is considering implementing a mandatory notification system and potentially creating a binding positive list of approved substances, marking a significant departure from the current voluntary Letter of No Objection framework.
CanadaConsumer Protection
Steptoe LLP
Steptoe LLP