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. An example is AquAdvantage salmon, the first genetically modified animal approved by Health Canada, which was introduced in the late 2010s without any special labeling requirements. Health Canada evaluates the safety of all novel foods before they can be marketed. Based on assessments from international organizations, including the European Food Safety Authority and the Japan Food Safety Commission, Health Canada concluded that meat from healthy clones and their offspring is as safe as meat from traditionally bred animals.

The recent policy update indicates that cloned meat will be regulated similarly to conventional meat products. However, cloned meat from other animals, such as goats and sheep, remains classified as novel food. Health Canada conducted a consultation in 2024 regarding cloned cattle and swine, gathering feedback from scientists, food policy organizations, and agricultural representatives. The consultation involved fewer than 1,200 individuals and organizations, and the results were not widely publicized.

Sylvain Charlebois, director of the Agri-Food Analytics Lab at Dalhousie University, expressed concern about the lack of public awareness regarding these changes. He stated, "The problem isn’t the science — it’s the silence," emphasizing that Canadians are not being informed about the impending changes to regulations surrounding cloning technology. Charlebois noted that there was no press release or public statement, just a quiet update on a government website that many citizens may not see.

Since the cloning of Dolly the sheep in 1996, the technology has sparked ethical debates, particularly regarding animal welfare. Additionally, some consumers find the idea of consuming cloned meat unappealing. A study published in 2011 found that many consumers viewed farm animal cloning as "unnatural" and were concerned it could lead to human cloning.

Charlebois warned that the lack of transparency could negatively impact the meat industry’s reputation. He suggested 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 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 noted that if cloned meat is priced similarly to conventional meat, consumers may prefer the latter. He concluded, "Let the people decide," suggesting that consumer choice should guide the market.