Canadian Export Requirements for Processed Products (fruits, vegetables and maple products)

This information is intended to provide an overview of federal requirements of products covered by the Maple Products Regulations and the Processed Products Regulations. The Canadian Food Inspection Agency is the single contact for all federal regulations covering the products falling under the above mentioned regulations.

This is not intended to replace any federal regulations; it is recommended to consult the appropriate set of regulations before using any information. Maple products are covered by the Maple Products Regulations and processed fruits, vegetables, and certain other products, by the Processed Products Regulations.

Processed fruit and vegetables include those that are canned, frozen, concentrated, pickled, hot-filled, aseptically-produced or otherwise prepared to ensure their preservation.  These products are regulated by the Processed Products Regulations under the Canada Agricultural Products Act.  Dehydrated products are not considered under this program.  Maple products include maple syrup, maple sugar, soft maple sugar, maple butter and maple taffy and are regulated by the Maple Products Regulations under the Canada Agricultural Products Act.

Export requirements

If you wish to export a food product, please ensure that the following points are observed:

1. The food product has been prepared in a registered establishment.

2. Minimum grade or Standard of identity 

In Schedule I of the Processed Products Regulations, the grades for each processed product, where applicable, are described. For example, canned corn has three grades: Canada Fancy, Canada Choice and Canada Standard; the minimum grade is Canada Standard. The minimum grade prescribed for a product is the minimum quality permitted to be imported or exported.

Some products included in the Processed Products Regulations do not have grades established for them, instead, standards of identity have been created. This simply means that to use a common name, for example "jam", a specified composition must be respected.

3. Prescribed containers

Prescribed or standard container sizes, which must be used, are indicated in the Tables of the Maple Products and Processed Products Regulations. Prescribed containers refer to specific dimensions for metallic containers and/or to container net quantities. Exceptions as noted in the export sections may prevail over this requirement.

4. Correct labelling (chapters 11 and 13 of the Guide to Food Labelling and Advertising)

The above export sections do not apply if the food product weighs 20 kg or less, or if the food product is part of an emigrant's effects (Processed Products Regulations).

Fees

A fee is charged for the grading and/or issuance of an export certificate. Full payment is due to the inspector on completion of the document. Clients with pre-authorized credit privileges may be billed and charges will appear on the client's monthly statement. Payment will be due by the date specified on the statement.

Exemptions

A Canadian food product that does not meet the requirements of the Processed Products Regulations as to grade, standard, packing, or marking may be exported if:

• the shipper provides a signed statement:
  • confirming that the container and markings comply with the requirements of the importing country,
  • setting out the quality specifications of the contract under which the food product is being exported,
  • the lot number or code of the shipment is marked on the label or embossed on the container, and
  • the label on the container does not misrepresent the quality, quantity, composition, character, safety, or value of the food product.

If in doubt about a foreign country's requirements on imported foods, it is advisable that you enquire through the importing country's department of agriculture or perhaps through their embassy/consulate/trade commission in Canada before exporting.