top of page
Search

Smart Food Importing in Canada: A Guide for Exporters and Importers

  • Writer: Altamash Janjua
    Altamash Janjua
  • Jun 2
  • 3 min read

In the dynamic and highly regulated Canadian food industry, importing food products can offer lucrative opportunities — but it comes with critical compliance responsibilities. The recent webinar by the Consulate General of Toronto on Smart Food Importing in Canada, aimed at supporting Pakistani exporters, shed light on key requirements, common pitfalls, and upcoming regulatory changes. The webinar was delivered by a former CFIA inspector and supervisor so please do check the main points of her talk which are reiterated below:


ree

🔍 Agenda Overview

The session covered:

  • Import requirements for manufacturers and importers

  • Labelling and advertising compliance

  • Common importing challenges

  • How to avoid food recalls

  • New regulations: Front-of-Pack (FOP) labelling & Quebec's Bill 96

👷 For Manufacturers: What Importers Need from You

If you’re a manufacturer aiming to export to Canada, importers will require:

  • Food safety documentation

  • Detailed product specifications

  • Nutritional information

  • Product testing results (microbiological and chemical)

It is vital that the manufacturer ensures their products comply with Canadian regulations from the outset — failure to do so can block entry into the market or lead to costly recalls.

📦 For Importers: What You Need to Know

To successfully import food into Canada, you must:

  • Obtain a Safe Food for Canadians (SFC) Import License

  • Implement a Preventative Control Plan (PCP)

  • Ensure full compliance with food labelling and composition standards

These are non-negotiable elements enforced by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA). Non-compliance can result in products being held at the border or pulled from shelves.

✅ Import Checklist: Before You Ship

Ask yourself the following:

  1. Is the product permitted in Canada?

    • E.g. Is mustard oil allowed? Are specific colours or additives permitted?

    • Are fortifications (vitamins, minerals) compliant? Some are mandatory, some voluntary, others prohibited.

  2. Is your food labelling compliant?Labels must include:

    • Product name

    • Net quantity

    • Ingredient list

    • Nutrition Facts Table

    • Dealer identity

    • Shelf life

    • All bilingual (English & French)

  3. Are your advertisements compliant?All promotional content is considered an extension of the label — so they must also follow bilingual and regulatory guidelines.

❌ Common Mistakes When Importing

  • Not sourcing directly from the manufacturer, making it hard to prove regulatory compliance.

  • Composition issues: Products may contain non-permitted additives, incorrect fortifications, or may not be allowed in Canada.

  • Selling products in non-standard container sizes (e.g., pickles, tomato paste) can be a compliance failure.

  • Inadequate or incorrect labelling: Must either print Canadian-compliant packaging or apply correct label stickers.

⚠️ Avoiding Costly Food Recalls

A food recall means removing products from stores due to safety concerns. Recalls fall into three classes:

  • Class I – Consumer alert, announced on TV/radio

  • Class II & III – Posted on CFIA’s website

Recalls damage your brand, cost you money, and hurt consumer trust. Causes include:

  • Physical contamination: glass, metal, etc.

  • Chemical contamination: unsafe pesticide or veterinary drug levels.

  • Microbial hazards: E. coli, Listeria, Salmonella.

  • Undeclared allergens

📌 Up to 38% of recalls in the past five years were due to undeclared allergens such as:

  • Eggs, milk, mustard

  • Fish, crustaceans, molluscs

  • Peanuts, tree nuts (almonds, cashews, pistachios, etc.)

  • Soy, sesame, sulphites, wheat

Proper allergen labelling is critical and avoidable with careful planning.

🆕 Coming Soon: Front-of-Pack (FOP) Labelling (January 2026)

Canada will soon require FOP symbols on products high in:

  • Saturated fat

  • Sodium

  • Sugars

Thresholds:

  • 15% Daily Value (DV) for most items

  • 10% DV for small portion items (30g or less)

This change aims to help consumers make healthier choices at a glance. Compliance will be mandatory by January 2026.

📜 Quebec’s French Language Law: Bill 96 (Effective June 1, 2025)

For products sold in Quebec:

  • All label information must be in French

  • Marketing materials must prioritize French

  • Brand names don't need translation if they are registered trademarks with CIPO

Note: Enforcement is by the Office québécois de la langue française (OQLF) — not the CFIA.


💬 Have Questions About Your Specific Products?

Email us at altamash @ paktrade.ca

Conclusion

Whether you're a Pakistani FoodAg manufacturer looking to enter Canada or a Canadian importer exploring international products, understanding the regulatory landscape is vital. From licensing and labelling to allergen disclosure and packaging laws, smart importing ensures both compliance and consumer confidence. Start with the right knowledge — and the right partners — to succeed.

 
 
 

Comments

bottom of page