Canada continues to debate mandatory biotech labeling.(Brief Article)

A survey that shows strong support among Canadians for mandatory labeling of bioengineered foods should not deter proponents of a voluntary labeling plan, a leading consumer advocate told Food Traceability Report.

Jennifer Hilliard, vice president of the Consumers Association of Canada, says a "good, tough voluntary system" is still the best way to go, because a mandatory system would be full of exceptions for products that manufacturers could not guarantee are biotech-free.

Hilliard has been part of a project led by the Grocery Products Distributors Council and the Canadian General Standards Board to draft a voluntary standard. The 53 organizations involved …