Cloned meat may soon be available in grocery stores across Canada. Health Canada has proposed lifting restrictions on meat from cloned cattle and pigs, no longer classifying it as a "novel food." This change means that cloned meat could be sold without special labeling or notification to consumers.

Novel foods are defined as products that are new or significantly altered compared to existing foods. Health Canada previously approved genetically modified animals, such as AquAdvantage salmon, which was introduced in the late 2010s without requiring special labeling. Before any novel food can be marketed, Health Canada assesses its safety based on scientific evaluations from international organizations, including the European Food Safety Authority and the Japan Food Safety Commission. The department concluded that meat from healthy clones and their offspring is as safe as meat from traditionally bred animals.

According to the updated policy, Health Canada’s Food Directorate has determined that cloned meat products will be regulated the same as conventional meat. However, cloned meat from other animals, such as goats and sheep, remains classified as novel food.

In 2024, Health Canada conducted a consultation regarding cloned cattle and swine, gathering input from scientists, food policy organizations, and agricultural representatives. However, fewer than 1,200 individuals and organizations were directly informed about the consultation, and the results were not widely publicized.

Sylvain Charlebois, director of the Agri-Food Analytics Lab at Dalhousie University, expressed concern over the lack of communication regarding the changes. 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 controversial 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 meat from cloned cows, goats, and pigs safe for consumption. However, a 2011 study found that many consumers viewed farm animal cloning as "unnatural" and feared it could lead to human cloning.

Charlebois warned that the lack of transparency could negatively impact the meat industry. He noted that without clear labeling, some consumers might choose to stop buying meat altogether or seek out sources that guarantee the meat's origins. 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 breed desirable traits into their herds more efficiently. This could lead to increased productivity and quality, as well as lower production costs. However, technological advancements do not always result in lower prices for consumers. Charlebois pointed out that if cloned meat is priced similarly to conventional meat, consumers may prefer the latter. He concluded, "Let the people decide."