Agrifood groups want more realistic Product of Canada labels.Ottawa--More than six months after an online consultation on proposed changes to the voluntary Product of Canada and Made in Canada food labels closed, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) is still working through more than 2,000 comments from consumers, farmers, food manufacturers and retailers.“The CFIA is currently analyzing the results of the consultation, and this analysis will help determine the way forward,” a spokesperson said. There was no indication of how much longer the review could take. The on-line effort followed a consultation with various agriculture and food industry organizations.Adding impetus to the CFIA's consultation is the government's proposed $25 million fund for a Buy Canadian food promotion program, which was promised in the 2019 budget as a component of the Food Policy for Canada. The government wants to start implementing the Food policy this year.Agrifood groups have complained for years about the 2008 Harper government decision that foods had to be 98 per cent Canadian content to qualify as Product of Canada. The groups said that rule was unrealistic because of the climatic limits on fruits, vegetables and other ingredients that can be grown in Canada.They wanted Product of Canada to be at least 85 per cent Canadian grown ingredients. Made in Canada would apply to products that contain less.Agriculture Minister Marie-Claude Bibeau said last year that “Consumers want to know when their food has a significant amount of Canadian ingredients, so that they make informed decisions and support domestic food producers. This initiative is an important part of our Food Policy for Canada, and the Buy Canadian Promotion campaign.”The Canadian Federation of Agriculture urged the government “to engage the public on any potential changes before making changes from the existing labelling regime, as any proposal needs to ensure it provides Canadians with the information and clarity they are looking for when looking to buy Canadian products and support Canadian farmers and food businesses. We look forward to seeing Canadians' perspectives on these labels and any proposed changes, and look forward to continued dialogue on this topic.”Bibeau agreed that the current rules disadvantage Canadian food companies because “the ingredients they need are not always available or cannot be grown in Canada. Produce is not available year-round in Canada and ingredients such as cane sugar and certain spices cannot be grown in Canada.”Alex Binkley is a freelance journalist and writes for domestic and international publications about agriculture, food and transportation issues. He's also the author of two science fiction novels with more in the works.