New Pet Food Labelling and Advertising Guide for Dog and Cat Food Introduced by Joint Industry and Government Working Group

OTTAWA, September 21, 2001 — On behalf of the Working Group on the Labelling and Advertising of Pet Food in Canada, the Competition Bureau issued today a new pet food labelling and advertising guide for dog and cat food. The Guide for the Labelling and Advertising of Pet Foods addresses consumers' concerns about the lack of uniformity and monitoring of pet food labelling and is the result of a broad consultation with the Canadian public and key industry stakeholders.

This guide sets out industry standards for labelling and advertising of these pre-packaged products. The guide will also be used as an enforcement tool when the Competition Bureau evaluates allegations of false and misleading representations under the Competition Act and the Consumer Packaging and Labelling Act.

The Guide was developed by the Working Group on the Labelling and Advertising of Pet Food in Canada, which was comprised of the Pet Food Association of Canada, the Pet Industry Joint Advisory Council of Canada, the Canadian Veterinary Medical Association, the Canadian Kennel Club, the Canadian Animal Health Institute, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Health Canada and the Competition Bureau.

For assistance or to obtain a hard copy of the Guide for the Labelling and Advertising of Pet Foods, please call the Competition Bureau's Information Centre at (819) 997-4282 or toll-free at 1-800-348-5358. The document is also available through the Bureau's Web site at: www.competitionbureau.gc.ca.

The Competition Bureau is an independent law enforcement agency which ensures that all Canadians enjoy the benefits of a fair and competitive economy, low prices, product choice, and quality service. It oversees the application of the Competition Act, the Consumer Packaging and Labelling Act, the Textile Labelling Act and the Precious Metals Marking Act.

For media enquiries, please contact:

Charles Bergeron
Senior Communications Advisor
Communications Branch
819-956-0774 or 
613-296-2187 (cell.)

For general public enquiries, please contact:

Competition Bureau's Information Center
1-800-348-5358 or 819-997-4282