Kamloops MP wants digital codes to help clarify food and drug labels

KAMLOOPS – Kamloops member of Parliament Cathy McLeod has introduced her first private members bill in Parliament, and it's aimed at making medical information more accessible and easier to comprehend.

Bill C-290 amends the Food and Drugs Act to add a machine-readable code, such as a quick response (QR) code, providing prescribed mandatory information and supplementary product information to the label of all foods, drugs, cosmetics, devices and therapeutic products.

“The impetus behind the bill is a complaint I have heard frequently from people not being able to read the very small print on medication.  Adding a smartphone code would reflect the existing labeling on packaging and provide an additional option for the consumer. They would simply use their smartphone by scanning the code on the package and have the information readily available in an easy to read manner,” McLeod says in a news release.

McLeod also says it's important for people to have easy access to a complete list of instructions and product information. 

“This legislation will help manufacturers respond to consumer demand for further information," McLeod says.

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