Health Canada recently updated its policy on meat and dairy products from cloned animals and their offspring. According to the decision:
Cloned animals (cows and pigs) and their offspring will no longer be considered “novel foods,” meaning they no longer require separate safety reviews before they can be marketed.
These products can be sold without special labeling or special disclosures, as they are no different in terms of safety and nutritional value than conventional products.
Other cloned animals, such as sheep or goats, are still subject to “novel food” regulations and require separate reviews.
The decision is based on scientific evidence and rigorous food safety assessments and is intended to facilitate the entry of products into the market without lowering safety standards.
This change has allowed products derived from clones to enter stores legally, although consumers cannot easily tell whether the product is from a cloned animal or its offspring, and this has sparked much debate about transparency and consumer choice.