Health Canada’s attempt to reclassify cloned and lab-grown meat without requiring mandatory labelling has now been paused, but the threat to transparency remains. The Department has acknowledged widespread concerns and admitted it needs more time for “further discussions and consideration.”

This pause should not become an opportunity to revive the policy later. Cloned meat and lab-grown cellular agriculture products must remain under the novel food designation so that clear, honest labelling stays mandatory.

We are calling on Minister Marjorie Michel to:

1. Permanently classify cloned and lab-grown meat as novel foods,

2. Maintain mandatory pre-market assessments and transparent labelling,

3. Commit to full public consultation before any future regulatory changes, and

4. Rebuild trust through clarity, openness, and accountability.

Canadians deserve to know what they’re feeding their families.

If these products are truly as safe as conventional meat, Health Canada should have no hesitation about requiring proper labels.