Food Law & Regulation Canada
September 25–26, 2024
Delta Hotels Toronto Mississauga Mississauga, ON
Distinguished Chairs:
Martha Harrison Partner McCarthy Tétrault LLP
Sirpal Randhawa Senior Legal Counsel, North America McCain Foods Limited
Lewis Retik Leader, Food and Beverage Group Gowling WLG
In-House Insights from:
Coca-Cola Canada Bottling Ltd
Ferrero
J.M. Smucker Co.
McCain Foods Limited
Mondelez Canada Inc.
Néstle Health Science
The Boston Beer Company
the Hershey Company
Hear from Health Canada and CFIA:
Alfred Aziz, PhD Director, Bureau of Nutritional Sciences Health Canada
Jay Holmes Director, Consumer Protection and Market Fairness Division CFIA
David K. Lee Chief Regulatory Officer, Health Products & Food Branch Health Canada
Peter de Souza Senior Director, Ontario Operations CFIA ASSOCIATE SPONSOR
Conference Highlights For 2024, include insightful sessions on:
ĉ Animal Proteins: Poultry, Dairy and Meat
ĉ Food Production and Commercialization in Quebec
ĉ The New Plastics Registry
ĉ Food Advertising to Children Update
ĉ Alcohol Regulations and the Manufacturing of CBD-Infused Foods
ĉ FOP and Allergen Labelling
ĉ Novel Foods and Supplemented Foods
ĉ CFIA Inspections
ĉ Global Market Entry and Recalls
ĉ Class Actions
After an extremely successful inaugural event last fall, Canadian Institute (CI) is pleased to announce the return of our highly anticipated Food Law conference!
There is no shortage of legal and regulatory challenges to the Canadian food and beverage industries — from concerns on the implementation of labeling regulations and new advertising guidelines, to zero plastics focus with the Plastics Registry, to the evolving novel foods landscape, and more, industry professionals and their legal counsel must navigate these complexities to remain compliant and competitive.
This is the gold standard event for food law and regulation in North America
Join us in the Greater Toronto Area this fall and learn from key industry stakeholders of Canadian Food Law and Regulation. Attend to obtain the skills and techniques you need to meet the legal and regulatory challenges that the food industry is now facing in Canada and other global food markets
A special focus on food law and regulation Quebec.
This year, we are pleased to introduce a special section on food law and regulation in Quebec — one of Canada’s largest food manufacturing provinces. Our speakers will provide insights on important Quebecois food regulations, analyze common oversights, and provide best practices for successfully bringing your products to la belle province.
Addressing Ad Standards' Children's Code challenges, one-year post-implementation
We are now one year into Ad Standards Code for Advertising Food and Beverage Products to Children and will review successes and outstanding questions to ensure compliance. We will also explore how legal and regulatory teams works together in ensure compliant food advertising.
Master and overcome Front of Pack and other labelling protocols.
We will provide an update on Health Canada’s front of pack (FOP) labelling requirements and best practices for implementation for advising the public about excess sugar, sodium, and saturated fat. Additionally, we will take a look at allergen labeling.
New environmental reporting and sustainability obligations for the food industry
In continuing efforts to help Canada meet its no plastics goal, this past April, Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) published notice of the Federal Plastics Registry — which requires all manufacturers, including food and beverage manufacturers, to report on all plastic products used or manufactured by them. It is crucial for food manufacturers to understand the registry’s reporting requirements and how to maintain accurate supply chain records. Additionally, there are also concerns with food packaging recyclability, sustainability, and decomposability which we will also address.
The on-going innovation of novel foods raises a host of anticipated questions within the food and beverage industry
The growing numbers of novel foods is at an all-time high. Plant based foods are becoming more mainstream and cell cultivated foods are anticipated to enter the food supply. There are also new questions with natural health products and supplemented foods and controversies over CBDinfused foods. The food landscape is changing, and we will provide a legal and regulatory map for you to navigate this new environment.
Expand your knowledge of the legal and regulatory challenges in global food markets
Our international speakers will share insights on global market entry and recalls for Canada, the U.S. Europe, Mexico, and Brazil. Broaden your food product import and export regulatory IQ as well as what to do if you need to recall a product in these vital markets.
Register today for Canada’s most comprehensive legal and regulatory food law conference, where professionals convene to network, benchmark, and learn thought-provoking strategies from the industries' top minds.
Who You Will Meet:
Food and Beverage Industry:
In-House Counsel with Responsibilities for Corporate Law, Litigation, Regulation, Advertising and Promotion
Compliance and Government Affairs Officers and Executives
Safety and Quality Officers and Managers
Nutrition and Labelling Directors and Executives
Regulatory Affairs Officers and Executives
Law Firm Attorneys with Specialization in:
Food and beverage law and regulation
Advertising and Promotion
Litigation
Distinguished Faculty
Conference Chairs:
Martha Harrison
Partner
McCarthy Tétrault LLP
Sirpal Randhawa
Senior Legal Counsel, North America McCain Foods Limited
Lewis Retik
Leader, Food and Beverage Group Gowling WLG
Government Speakers:
Alfred Aziz, PhD Director, Bureau of Nutritional Sciences Health Canada
Jay Holmes Director, Consumer Protection and Market Fairness Division Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA)
David K. Lee
Chief Regulatory Officer, Health Products & Food Branch Health Canada
Peter De Souza
Senior Director, Ontario Operations Canadian Food Inspection Agency
Key Associations and Regulatory Bodies:
Catherine Bate
President & Chief Executive Officer Ad Standards
Shelley Samel Chief Legal Officer Ad Standards
Michi Furuya Chang
Executive Vice President, Public Policy, Regulatory Affairs and Head, Division Strategy Food, Health & Consumer Products of Canada (FHCP)
Lauren Martin
Senior Director, Government Relations & Policy
Canadian Meat Council
Ryan Mills
General Counsel & Corporate Secretary
Chicken Farmers of Ontario
Arlene Minott, LL.B/JD, ICD.D General Counsel and Corporate Secretary Dairy Farmers of Ontario
Beatrice Povolo Director, Food Safety & Regulatory Affairs
Food Allergy Canada
In-House
Counsel and Regulatory Executives:
Michael Bowmile
Vice President, Legal Coca-Cola Canada Bottling Limited
Timothy Civil VP General Counsel and Government Affairs PepsiCo Canada
George Ellinidis
Vice President & General Counsel, International The J.M. Smucker Co
Cailey Greenberg
Lead Counsel, Cannabis The Boston Beer Company
Natasha Grewal Manager, Legal & Regulatory Affairs Sleeman Breweries
Ola Machnowski Head of Marketing, Canada The Hershey Company
James (Jay) McMillan Founder & CEO UberGreen
Desiree Ripo
Lead Open Innovation Counsel Head of Food Regulatory & Compliance Ferrero
Law Firm & Consultants:
Ashley Cornell
Director, Regulatory Affairs and Policy Canadian Health Food Association
Christopher Marinangeli, Ph.D.
Director, Center for Regulatory Research and Innovation Protein Industries Canada
Jacintha Roberts Director, Regulatory Affairs
Néstle Health Science
Karyn Sullivan Chief Counsel Mondelez Canada Inc.
Martha Carman
Principal
Carman Consulting Inc.
Katrina Coughlin Partner
Gowling WLG
Jean-Luc Couture Partner
Therrien Couture
Joli-Coeur LLP
Benjamin L. England CEO and Founder FDAImports.com, LLC
Guillermo Govela Martínez Counsel
Creel, Garcia-Cuellar, Aiza y Enriquez, S.C. (Mexico)
Kelly Harris Principal Harris + co
Glenford Jameson Lawyer & Principal
G.S. Jameson & Company
Harrison Jordan President and Managing Lawyer Substance Law P.C.
Dara Jospé Partner
Fasken Martineau DuMoulin LLP
Katia Merten-Lentz Partner
Food Law Science & Partners
Jason Moscovici Founder, President Provisions Legal Services Inc.
Chandimal Nicholas Partner
Cassels Brock & Blackwell LLP
Ashley Paterson Partner
Bennett Jones LLP
Katarina Smolkova
Food Regulatory Specialist
Canadian Food Consulting Agency
Former Senior Compliance Officer, CFIA
Marco Aurélio Torronteguy Partner
TozziniFreire Advogados (Brazil)
Laura Weinrib Partner
Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP
George Wray Partner
Borden Ladner Gervais LLP
Sara Zborovski Partner
Stikeman Elliott LLP
MAIN CONFERENCE DAY ONE
September 25, 2024
7:15 Continental Networking Breakfast and Registration
8:15 Chairs’ Welcome Remarks
Martha Harrison Partner McCarthy Tétrault LLP
Sirpal Randhawa
Senior Legal Counsel, North America McCain Foods Limited
Lewis Retik Leader, Food and Beverage Group Gowling WLG
8:30 The True North Update: Legal and Regulatory Retrospectives and Future Forecasts for the Canadian Food Industry
In this opening session, our Chairs will provide an overview of the latest and regulatory developments and highlight what’s to come for the Canadian food industry – the True North Update! This session will help lay the foundation for the conference and touch upon developing and critical updates to be aware of.
Martha Harrison Partner
McCarthy Tétrault LLP
Sirpal Randhawa
Senior Legal Counsel, North America
McCain Foods Limited
Lewis Retik
Leader, Food and Beverage Group
Gowling WLG
9:00 Bon Appétit: Focus on the Latest Legal and Regulatory Developments Affecting Food Production and Commercialization in Québec
• Assessing new developments to the Food Products Act, as well as compliance issues touching food and beverage products sold in Québec
• Understanding the differences with the Federal Regime and how it encourages cooperation with provincial agencies
• Overview of the regulator CARTV: reserved designations and added value claims in Québec
• Examining the consequences of your company failing to meet Quebec’s food safety requirements and what enforcement/litigation/civil liability can look like in Québec
• Analyzing best practices to meet the Bilingual language requirements under Bill 96 on food and beverage packaging and labels
» Does everything have to be translated, even trademarks?
» Challenges and grey zones
» Devising successful advertising strategies for food advertising in Québec
9:45 Morning Networking Break
Jean-Luc Couture Partner
Therrien Couture Joli-Coeur LLP
Jason Moscovici Founder, President Provisions Legal Services Inc.
10:00 Focus on Animal Based Proteins: Addressing Legal and Regulatory Concerns Specific to Meat, Dairy, and Poultry
• Understanding the various stakeholders involved in the dairy, chicken, and red meat industries of Canada
• Exploring the perception of animal protein by consumers, government, and industry
» Benchmarking best practices for: nutrition, environmental sustainability, and animal welfare
» Extrapolating lessons from the recent injunction against CFIA with respect to Kosher slaughter
• Appreciating the vital role and importance of supply chain management
• Unveiling new and evolving developments within industry, e.g., the use of AI and biosensors on farms
Lauren Martin Senior Director, Government Relations & Policy Canadian Meat Council
Ryan Mills General Counsel & Corporate Secretary Chicken Farmers of Ontario
Arlene Minott, LL.B/JD, ICD.D General Counsel and Corporate Secretary Dairy Farmers of Ontario
Moderated by:
Katrina Coughlin Partner Gowling WLG
11:00 Food Packaging: A Legal and Regulatory Guide to the Latest Developments in Recyclability, Sustainability, and Decomposability
• Examining food and beverages packaging and recyclability categories and requirements
• Understanding the restrictions surrounding single use plastics for packaging
• Analyzing how price inevitably affects packaging and the carbon footprint
• Determining best practices to minimize costs and increase decomposability of packaging for your products
» Case studies of successful packaging meeting recyclability, sustainability, and decomposability requirements
• Understanding the Federal Plastics Registry reporting requirements
• Developing best practices for maintaining supply chain records
12:00 Networking Luncheon
Sponsored by:
EARN CPD CREDITS
Legal Accreditation
This program can be applied towards the annual Continuing Professional Development (CPD) required by the Law Society of Upper Canada
Members of the Law Society of Saskatchewan seeking accreditation for an out of province activity are requested to submit the CPD Activity Application Form and agenda directly to the LSS for approval. The form is available on the LSS Website.
Michael Bowmile Vice President, Legal Coca-Cola Canada Bottling Limited
George Wray Partner Borden Ladner Gervais LLP
This program can be applied toward your continuing legal education requirements in British Columbia
The Barreau de Québec automatically recognizes the same number of hours for this training activity, the latter having been accredited by another Law Society subject to MCLE.
Attendance at this program by members of the Law Society of Alberta may be submitted to the Law Society for Continuing Professional Development credits.
FOCUS ON LABELLING
1:15 Front of Pack (FOP) Labelling Implementation Guide 2.0
As January 1, 2026, approaches, manufacturers need to be in full compliance with the latest front of pack (FOP) labelling requirements or face severe penalties. This session will highlight what manufacturers need to do to successfully transition to the new requirements.
• Assessing the latest developments concerning Health Canada’s guidance on Front of Pack (FOP) labelling
» Answering what is required on a food label
» What are FOP Nutrition symbols?
• Developing a checklist to ensure compliance with the FOP requirements
• Evaluating how product labels vary depending on added saturate fats, sugars, and sodium
Katarina Smolkova
Food Regulatory Specialist
Canadian Food Consulting Agency
Former Senior Compliance Officer, CFIA
Laura Weinrib
Partner
Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP
• Analyzing the challenges of labelling products for export in compliance with other country’s standards
» Can we see packaging harmonization on the horizon?
2:00 Taking Another Look at Allergen Labelling
Precautionary allergen labelling (PAL) has recently gained global attention with the current work being undertaken by the Codex Committee on Food Labelling (CCFL) and the recommendations published by the Expert Working Group convened by the FAO/ WHO. To assist Canadian food business operators with this work, Food Allergy Canada, through industry collaboration, developed and released a consensus-based set of recommendations. In this panel, topics of discussion will include:
• Learning the recommendations proposed by CCFL and the Expert Working Group
• Contrasting with Food Allergy Canada’s Allergen Management Guidelines for Food Manufacturers
• Developing robust and accurate allergen management practices
Martha Carman Principal Carman Consulting Inc.
Beatrice Povolo
Director, Food Safety & Regulatory Affairs
Food Allergy Canada
» Appreciating the concerns with respect to precautionary allergen labelling (e.g., “may contain”), which is not specifically regulated in Canada
• Risk-based assessments for precautionary allergen labelling
• Understanding the consumer perspective and the importance of having effective labelling practices in place
2:45 Afternoon Networking Break
The C5 Group, comprising American Conference Institute, the Canadian Institute and C5 in Europe, is a leading global events and business intelligence company.
For over 40 years, C5 Group has provided the opportunities that bring together business leaders, professionals and international experts from around the world to learn, meet, network and make the contacts that create the opportunities. Our conferences and related products connect the power of people with the power of information, a powerful combination for business growth and success.
FOCUS ON ADVERTISING
3:00 Fireside Chat with FHCP and Ad Standards on the Code for the Responsible Advertising of Food and Beverage Products to Children
Join FHCP and Ad Standards for a year after implementation review of Ad Standards’ Code for the Responsible Advertising of Food and Beverage Products to Children. Come prepared with your pressing questions as we will have a designated Q&A period.
Catherine Bate
President & Chief Executive Officer Ad Standards
Michi Furuya Chang
Executive Vice President, Public Policy, Regulatory Affairs and Head, Division Strategy Food, Health & Consumer Products of Canada (FHCP)
Interviewed by:
Timothy Civil
VP General Counsel and Government Affairs PepsiCo Canada
3:45 Mastering Legally Compliant Advertising in Food: Unified Strategies from Marketing, Legal, and the Regulators
In this panel, legal counsel, regulators, and marketing and advertising executives from industry will come together for a one-of-a-kind panel that will dive deep into current best practices for advertising and marketing. Points of discussion include:
• Exploring the process that marketing undergoes in making advertising claims
• Dissecting the steps legal goes through to ensure the advertisement and claims are in compliance
» What guidance is set by Ad Standards that must be followed?
• Examining the timeline of a food or beverage advertisement from start to finish
• Understanding the role and authority of the Competition Bureau in advertisements
» What penalties can the Competition Bureau place on a food or beverage manufacturer?
• Analyzing the different compliance requirements when advertising on-the-shelf products versus online products
Ola Machnowski Head of Marketing, Canada The Hershey Company
Shelley Samel Chief Legal Officer Ad Standards
Karyn Sullivan Chief Counsel Mondelez Canada Inc.
Moderated by:
Kelly Harris
Principal Harris + co
4:45 Alcohol Regulation in Canada: Everything Food and Beverage Professionals Need to Know
• Reviewing the key laws and regulations applicable to alcohol, federally and provincially
• Appreciating labelling and packaging requirements for alcohol
• Considering borders: excise duties and importation
• Knowing which licenses are needed for production, packaging, and sale
• Keeping an eye on the future, e.g:
» non-alcoholic beverages
» direct-to-consumer alcohol beverages
» warning labels on alcohol beverages and responsible consumerism
5:30 Closing Remarks. Day One Concludes
Natasha Grewal Manager, Legal & Regulatory Affairs Sleeman Breweries
Harrison Jordan President and Managing Lawyer Substance Law P.C.
MAIN CONFERENCE DAY TWO
September 26, 2024
7:15 Continental Networking Breakfast and Registration
8:15 Chairs’ Opening Remarks and Recap of Day 1
Martha Harrison Partner McCarthy Tétrault LLP
8:30 Keynote From Health Canada
Sirpal Randhawa Senior Legal Counsel, North America McCain Foods Limited
and CFIA
Join us for this highly anticipated discussion with Health Canada about current and anticipated legal and regulatory developments affecting Canada’s food and beverage industry, as well as cross-border imports and exports in the U.S.
Lewis Retik Leader, Food and Beverage Group Gowling WLG
Interviewed by:
Jay Holmes Director, Consumer Protection and Market Fairness Division Canadian Food Inspection Agency
David K. Lee Chief Regulatory Officer, Health Products & Food Branch Health Canada
Lewis Retik Leader, Food and Beverage Group Gowling WLG 2024 Conference Chair
9:00 Plant Based Foods: Modernizing Regulations to Align with Consumer Demand
Alfred Aziz, PhD Director, Bureau of Nutritional Sciences Health Canada
Jay Holmes Director, Consumer Protection and Market Fairness Division Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA)
Dara Jospé Partner Fasken Martineau DuMoulin LLP
Christopher Marinangeli, Ph.D. Director, Center for Regulatory Research and Innovation Protein Industries Canada
Moderated by:
Michi Furuya Chang, MHSc, RD Executive Vice President, Public Policy, Regulatory Affairs and Head, Division Strategy Food, Health & Consumer Products of Canada (FHCP)
Global Sponsorship Opportunities
With conferences in the United States, Canada, Latin America and Europe, the C5 Group of Companies: American Conference Institute, Canadian Institute, and C5 Group, provides a diverse portfolio of conferences, events and roundtables devoted to providing business intelligence to senior decision makers responding to challenges around the world.
Don’t miss the opportunity to maximize participation or showcase your organization’s services and talent. For more information please contact us at: SponsorInfo@CanadianInstitute.com
MEDIA PARTNERS
10:00 Morning Coffee Break
10:15 Status Report on Supplemented Foods
It is crucial for food lawyers to continue to understand the differences between supplemented foods, fortified foods, and natural health products. This advanced session will look at challenges faced when using these food groups and how to maintain full compliance. Point of discussion include:
• Assessing the regulatory and compliance framework for supplemented foods
• Distinguishing supplemented foods from fortified foods and natural health products
• Evaluating the nutritional challenges of supplemented foods
• Analyzing pre and post commercialization concerns to achieve market entry of these products
11:00 A Practical Guide to Navigating CFIA Inspections
• Being inspection ready — developing an inspection preparedness plan for when CFIA comes knocking by appointment or surprise
• Identifying what penalties may be incurred for a violation
• Developing a remediation plan and corrective protocols to rectify errors and get your product back to market
• Understanding the difference between CFIA inspection versus investigation
• Identifying red flags that CFIA looks for and what triggers investigation
• What to do if you are under investigation?
Ashley Cornell Director, Regulatory Affairs and Policy
Canadian Health Food Association
Jacintha Roberts Director, Regulatory Affairs Nestlé Health Science
Peter De Souza Senior Director, Ontario Operations Canadian Food Inspection Agency
Sara Zborovski Partner Stikeman Elliott LLP
Moderated by:
Martha Harrison Partner McCarthy Tétrault LLP
12:00 Analyzing Food and Beverage Class Actions: Robin Hood Flour Class Action Case Study
This session will review the key aspects of class action lawsuits within the food and beverage industries, from both the legal and business perspective. From there, George Ellinidis, the International Vice-President and General Counsel of the J.M. Smucker Co., will unpack the Robin Hood Flour class action lawsuit that he oversaw several years ago. Topics of discussion include:
• Learning the legal basics of class action lawsuits through a review of notable or recent contamination cases
• Learning the key factors, from a business perspective, with managing class action lawsuits
• Managing reputational damage
• Appreciating the costs of litigation
• An in-depth review of the Robin Hood flour class action lawsuit
George Ellinidis Vice President & General Counsel, International The J.M. Smucker Co
Ashley Paterson Partner Bennett Jones LLP
1:00
Networking Luncheon
CROSS-BORDER FOCUS
2:00 Broadening Horizons: Developing Global Food Market Entry Strategies— Perspectives form Canada, the U.S., Mexico, and Brazil
Manufacturers of food and beverage products continuously look to expand their marketplace. This session will dive into the latest global regulatory developments that will impact entry into the Canadian, Mexican, U.S. and Brazilian food markets
• Navigating the process of selling your product outside Canada
» Understanding the critical cross-border production, packaging, and labeling requirements
• Developing best practices to tackle the challenges of supply chain and traceability
• Understanding the limitations and requirements of sourcing/using international ingredients
• Understanding notable food ingredient safety regulations that manufacturers need to be mindful of in the U.S., Mexico, and Latin America
3:00 Afternoon Networking Break
Desiree Ripo Lead Open Innovation Counsel Head of Food Regulatory & Compliance Ferrero
Guillermo Govela Martínez Counsel
Creel, Garcia-Cuellar, Aiza y Enriquez, S.C. (Mexico)
Marco Aurélio Torronteguy Partner
TozziniFreire Advogados (Brazil)
3:15 Demystifying Global Recalls: A Guide to Understanding Recalls in Global
Our panelists will walk you through the execution of a recall from start to finish in Canada as well as various marketplaces around the globe. Our speakers will help you develop best practices and strategies to establish a real blueprint for Canada, United States, Mexico, and Europe.
• Understanding the governing authority that oversees recalls in each market
• Devising a blueprint on hot to effectively remove products from the marketplace
» When to make a recall and how to do it
• Identifying and correcting regulatory and compliance mishaps that led to the recall
• Developing crisis management strategies to address recall fallout and help win back consumer confidence
Food Markets
Benjamin L. England CEO and Founder FDAImports.com, LLC
Glenford Jameson Lawyer & Principal G.S. Jameson & Company
Katia Merten-Lentz Partner Food Law Science & Partners
4:15 Analyzing Challenges with CBD-Infused Food and Beverage Products
This session will look specifically at the legal and regulatory requirements for CBD-infused food and beverages and provide the essentials for food manufacturers whose products have altered to include CBD.
• Examining the Cannabis Act, as it pertains to food and beverages
• Understanding the licensing process to produce or sell CBD-infused food and beverages
• Analyzing the challenges with obtaining good quality Cannabis or CBD oils across borders
• Evaluating marketing limitations for CBD-infused food and beverages
» Is this allowed and on what platforms?
5:15 Closing Remarks, Conference Concludes
Chandimal Nicholas Partner
Cassels Brock & Blackwell LLP
Cailey Greenberg
Lead Counsel, Cannabis
The Boston Beer Company
James (Jay) McMillan Founder & CEO UberGreen
Building VENUE INFORMATION
ACCOMMODATIONS
Canadian Institute is pleased to offer our delegates a limited number of hotel rooms at a negotiated rate. To take advantage of these rates, please contact the hotel directly and quote "The Canadian Institute".
Please note that the guest room block cut-off date is August 24th, 2024. After that date OR when the room block fills, guestroom availability and rate can no longer be guaranteed.
Book with Confidence!
Register and pay to lock in your early rate and be eligible for a full refund until September 11, 2024
If you are unable to attend for any reason, you will have the following options:
y A full credit note for you, or a colleague to attend another event.
y A full refund.
All cancellations and changes must be submitted to CustomerService@CanadianInstitute.com by September 11, 2024