Experts warn 'made in Canada' labels may mislead shoppers

Many Canadians are eager to buy local products to support their economy. This trend has grown during a tariff war with the United States. However, experts warn that some items labeled as "made in Canada" may not be entirely Canadian. Stores like Loblaw are using the "buy Canadian" message to attract customers. But experts say shoppers should be cautious. Marketing professor David Soberman notes there are no strict laws about using Canadian symbols like the maple leaf. This can lead to confusion about whether products are actually made in Canada or just packaged there. Some shoppers are unhappy about misleading labels. A post on Reddit criticized Loblaw for using maple leaf symbols on products like frozen fruit that come from other countries. The company still emphasizes that the symbols indicate the brand is Canadian, not necessarily that the ingredients are. Loblaw acknowledged the complexity of food production and noted that their labeling aimed to inform customers. The company stated that the maple leaf symbol means products were prepared in Canada, whether they contain domestic or imported ingredients. As the "buy Canadian" movement continues, experts believe that even a return to normal trade relations with the U.S. may not change this trend. Soberman suggests that support for local products will likely remain strong among Canadians.