FOOD LABEL REVIEWS:

Selling food in Canada is a meticulous process that requires adherence to federal and provincial regulations. Prior to market entry, companies must ensure their products meets applicable regulations, including labelling and compositional requirements tailored to their specific food category. Manufacturers and importers alike bear the responsibility of ensuring their products meet technical standards and use acceptable marketing claims.

Moreover, it's crucial that labeling is bilingual, featuring both English and French translations of core label text to meet the regulatory mandates.

Import Requirements:

Canadian importers must obtain a Safe Food for Canadians Licence to facilitate the import of food products from other countries into Canada. Likewise, foreign manufacturers aiming to access the Canadian market need to collaborate with a Canadian importer holding a Safe Food for Canadians License for their specific product category.

Navigating these regulations can be complex, but with proper guidance and adherence, companies can successfully enter the Canadian market.

How we help: We review the product labels and ensure that the labelling requirements are met. Our review includes the revision of a Nutrition Facts Table (or Supplemented Food Table), product claims, the presence of mandatory information, French translations, and design requirements. We provide comprehensive feedback, which can then be used to modify the product label, ensuring compliance with the set-out regulations.

Additionally, we provide a summary of the necessary steps to obtain a Safe Food for Canadians Licence, a licence necessary for food-related activities. For more information, please see below.

FAQ & Process Overview

  • Step 1:

    First, we sign a non-disclosure agreement with you (ours or yours), assuring you that anything we discuss remains strictly confidential.

    Step 2:

    We would then have you send us a product label and a list of unrounded nutrition values for the food products you wish to sell.

    Step 3:

    We will review the label, ingredients, and claims that appear on the product. If your product falls into the food category, we will issue a one-time all-inclusive quote for a Food Label Review.

    There are no hidden or additional charges. What we quote is all that you will pay.

    Step 4:

    Once the quote is confirmed, we will annotate the product label with the requirements and changes to be made. We will then forward the review and request that the identified changes, if any, are introduced to the product label.

    Step 5:

    We will review the updated product label and send the necessary text to our translators for French translations.

    Step 6:

    We will send you the final review and the French translations for you to add to the label.

  • A Safe Food for Canadians Licence is a licence issued by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) and allows an individual/business to conduct specific activities relating to a food product.

    Activities such as import, export, manufacturing, processing, treating, preserving, grading, packaging, and labelling require a Safe Food for Canadians Licence.

    Not sure if you need a licence? Use this tool to help you decide.

  • Manufacturers and importers of foods must meet labelling and compositional requirements for their food products prior to market entry. Although most foods do not require a pre-market assessment by Health Canada, some food categories must be assessed prior to their sale.

    Canadian-based importers must obtain a Safe Food for Canadians Licence to import foods into Canada.

  • When it comes to labelling food products for the Canadian market, there are several critical categories to consider. These include manner of declaration, technical specifications, bilingual requirements, and product marketing and claims. Each of these aspects plays a crucial role in ensuring compliance with Canadian regulations.

    To navigate these requirements effectively and ensure that your product meets the necessary standards before entering the market, we strongly recommend seeking professional support. Working with experts who understand the intricacies of Canadian food labeling regulations can help streamline the process and mitigate potential compliance issues.

  • To better understand if you need a Safe Food for Canadians Licence, please use this tool.