The Federal Government is being urged to speed up the decision making process on approvals for food additives and health claims for food products.

The group Food & Consumer Products of Canada has released a report saying it’s concerned about its ability to bring new products to market.

President and CEO Nancy Croitoru says the group is looking for “smarter regulation so that we can really provide Canadians with the healthy products that are now available out there.”

The food industry blames an out-of-date regime for making it difficult to keep pace with what’s occurring in other countries on fortifying foods.

Croitoru says “we are watching as slowly every country in the world is taking over the production and distribution of new, innovative healthy products as we’re lagging further and further behind.”