Inaccurate nutritional info prominent in imported food

The majority of imported foods that have been tested by government inspectors in the last three years have contained inaccurate nutritional information, according statistics from the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA).

A report in Postmedia News says the importers at risk program at CFIA targets manufactured foods that haven't been inspected for some time or are suspected to have compliance problems.

Results showed there was a high percentage of food with labelling problems such as rye bread lacking rye, and a "no preservatives" claim on a product containing a preservative.

In 2008 to 2009, CFIA tested 285 samples and found a 75 per cent non-compliance rate in the quality category. That rate rose to 84 per cent in 2010 to 2011.

Non-compliant nutritional claims, non-permitted health claims, inaccurate declarations in the Nutrition Facts Table, the absence of a required component, were some of the reasons for failing the compliance test.

The importers at risk program includes manufactured food imports including grain-based products, beverages, confectionary, snack foods, oils, seasonings, condiments, infant formulas, and all retail prepared food.

CFIA said in the article that findings of low compliance rates are not an indication of the regulatory compliance of this sector as a whole and added the agency follows up with companies until compliance is achieved.