Understanding Pork Labels and Production Claims

A few words on a package can influence how consumers picture an entire farm. In reality, one production claim usually describes only one part of how an animal was raised.

Production claims must be meaningful

Canadian food labelling requirements prohibit false or misleading representations. Method-of-production claims should accurately describe the practice being communicated and meet applicable criteria.

Raised without antibiotics

CFIA guidance provides criteria for claims such as “raised without the use of antibiotics.” For meat carrying that claim, the animal must meet the applicable requirements throughout the relevant production period.

This claim is not the same as saying antibiotics are never used anywhere on the farm. Producers may have protocols for treating sick animals and separating those animals from a particular marketing program.

Vaccination is a separate issue

Vaccines and antibiotics are different animal-health tools. CFIA guidance permits vaccination within a raised-without-antibiotics production claim.

Pasture-raised

A pasture claim describes an aspect of where or how pigs are raised. It does not automatically describe the complete ration, antibiotic practices, vaccination program, processing method or every other feature of the farm.

Organic

Organic is a regulated claim in Canada. Products represented as organic must meet the requirements applicable to the Canadian organic regime. Consumers should distinguish a regulated organic claim from general marketing terms that may sound similar.

Farm-direct buying allows deeper questions

When buying directly, consumers can ask about feed, housing, outdoor access, health treatments, animal handling, processing and pricing rather than relying only on the words printed on a label.

Transparency gives consumers information. The consumer decides which practices matter most to them.