Health Canada is taking steps to allow the sale of cloned meat from cattle and pigs without requiring special labeling. This change means consumers may not be aware if the meat they purchase comes from cloned animals. Previously, cloned meat was classified as a "novel food," but Health Canada has now decided to lift these restrictions.

Novel foods are defined as products that are new or significantly altered compared to existing foods. An example of a novel food is the AquAdvantage salmon, which was the first genetically modified animal approved by Health Canada and was sold without special labeling in the late 2010s. Before any novel food can be marketed, Health Canada evaluates its safety. The department has concluded that meat from healthy clones and their offspring is as safe as meat from traditionally bred animals, based on scientific assessments from international organizations like the European Food Safety Authority and the Japan Food Safety Commission.

According to a recent policy update, Health Canada’s Food Directorate has determined that cloned meat will be regulated the same as conventional meat products. However, cloned meat from other species, such as goats and sheep, will still be classified as novel foods.

In a consultation regarding cloned meat, fewer than 1,200 individuals and organizations were notified, and the results were not widely shared. Sylvain Charlebois, director of the Agri-Food Analytics Lab at Dalhousie University, expressed concern about the lack of communication. He stated, "The problem isn’t the science — it’s the silence," emphasizing that Canadians are not adequately informed about the impending changes to regulations surrounding cloning technology.

Cloning technology has been a contentious issue since the cloning of Dolly the sheep in 1996. Ethical concerns, including animal welfare, and consumer discomfort with cloned food have fueled debate. In 2008, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration declared that meat from cloned cows, goats, and pigs is safe for consumption. However, a study published in 2011 found that many consumers viewed farm animal cloning as "unnatural" and feared it could lead to human cloning.

Charlebois warned that the absence of transparency could damage the meat industry’s reputation. He noted that without clear labeling, some consumers might choose to stop buying meat altogether or seek out sources that guarantee the origins of their products. He stated, "Transparency, I think, is key, and it’s often underappreciated."

Despite the controversy, cloning offers advantages for some farmers and ranchers, allowing them to quickly breed desirable traits into their herds. While this could lead to increased productivity and quality, it does not necessarily mean lower prices for consumers. Charlebois pointed out that if cloned meat is priced similarly to conventional meat, consumers may prefer the latter. However, if cloned meat is offered at a lower price, it could attract buyers. He concluded, "Let the people decide."