Saturday

15-02-2025 Vol 19

Made in Canada v Product of Canada: What’s the Difference?

Understanding Canadian Food Labels: A Quick Guide

Canadian food labels provide important information about the origin and content of products, helping consumers make informed choices. Here’s a simplified breakdown of key labelling terms and guidelines:

Origin Claims:

  • Product of Canada: This claim means all or virtually all major ingredients, processing, and labour are Canadian. Minor non-Canadian ingredients (like spices) are allowed, but they must make up less than 2% of the product.
  • Made in Canada: This label indicates the last substantial transformation (e.g., processing) occurred in Canada, but some ingredients may be imported. It must include a qualifying statement like “Made in Canada from domestic and imported ingredients.”

Local Claims:

  • Local” refers to food produced within the province or territory where it’s sold, or within 50 km of the originating province. Companies are encouraged to add qualifiers like city names for clarity.

Ingredient Claims:

  • Claims about the origin of specific ingredients (e.g., “Contains Italian olive oil”) are allowed if truthful and not misleading. Highlighting the percentage of an ingredient (e.g., “10% Italian olive oil”) is also permitted.

Commodity-Specific Rules:

  • Meat/Poultry: Must be born, raised, and slaughtered in Canada.
  • Fish/Seafood: Must be caught in Canadian waters or farmed and processed in Canada.
  • Dairy/Eggs: Milk and eggs must come from cows or hens in Canada, even if the animals were imported.

Symbols and Terms:

  • Symbols like the Canadian flag or maple leaf are protected by the government and require permission for commercial use. The maple leaf on a label may imply Canadian origin, so it’s recommended to include a domestic content statement nearby.

Other Claims:

  • Terms like “Roasted in Canada” or “Packaged in Canada” are allowed if accurate.
  • 100% Canadian” means all ingredients and processing must be entirely Canadian.

By understanding these labels, consumers can better identify Canadian products and support local industries while ensuring transparency in their food choices.

Source: Government of Canada.

See also this article from the Vancouver Sun, published Feb 3, 2025.

Britt

She/Her. Canadian.

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