Food and Beverage

Canada–U.S. Food Safety Systems Recognition Arrangement: What It Means for Cross-Border Trade and Compliance Strategy A New Era of Trust: Mutual Recognition of Food Safety SystemsIn July 2024, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) formalized a Food Safety Systems Recognition Arrangement (FSSRA). This milestone agreement recognizes that each country operates a comparable regulatory food safety system.For importers, exporters, and manufacturers involved in cross-border food trade, this recognition introduces significant opportunities and new strategic considerations.Why This Matters NowThe FSSRA could not come at a more pivotal moment. With global supply chains in [...]

Canada Reaffirms “Product of Canada” and “Made in Canada” Labelling Standards: CFIA Clarifies Origin Claims Amid Consumer Confusion In a continued effort to enhance transparency and prevent misleading claims on food packaging, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) issued a notice on March 14, 2025, reinforcing the requirements for "Product of Canada" and "Made in Canada" origin claims. As consumer demand for transparency and support for domestic products grows, accurate use of these claims has become a central regulatory focus. Regulatory Framework: Food Labelling and Consumer Protection Under the Food and Drugs Act and the Safe Food for [...]

Listeria Contamination Prompts Advisory for Marketside Celery Sticks Sold at Walmart On April 10, 2025, Duda Farm Fresh Foods, Inc. announced a precautionary advisory for a specific lot of Marketside Celery Sticks due to potential contamination with Listeria monocytogenes. The affected product is the 4 in/1.6 oz bundle pack, identified by UPC code 6 81131 16151 0 and lot code P047650, with a "Best if Used by" date of March 23, 2025. These celery sticks were distributed to Walmart stores across multiple states, including Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, New York, Texas, and Virginia, among others.​ Understanding Listeria [...]

Canada Tightens Meat Import Restrictions from Hungary and Austria: Implications for European Exporters and the Canadian Food Supply Chain In a decisive move to safeguard its agricultural biosecurity, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) has formally restricted meat imports from Hungary, citing an outbreak of Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD). As of April 2025, these restrictions have also begun extending to Austria due to the proximity and rising concerns about cross-border disease transmission within the European Union (EU). While Canada’s proactive stance aligns with international sanitary regulations, the ramifications for meat exporters across Europe and the domestic food [...]

FDA Bans FD&C Red No. 3: What It Means for Consumers and Industry On January 15, 2025 the FDA banned the use of a synthetic food dye that has been used as a food additive for nearly 60 years. FD&C Red No. 3, also known as erythrosine, is a synthetic food dye that is responsible for the brilliant red colour in sweet treat favorites such as red velvet cake. Approved in the United States in the 1960s, it became a staple in products ranging from candy, cereals, and baked goods to cough syrups and toothpaste. This artificial colorant [...]

A Quick Guide to Good Hygiene Practices Cleaner Plants, Safer Products: A Quick Guide to Hygiene Excellence In the world of food manufacturing, safety and quality are non-negotiable. Every day, millions of consumers place their trust in the hands of manufacturers, expecting that the food on their tables is safe, clean, and of the highest quality standard. It is a trust that must be earned through meticulous attention to hygiene and sanitation—principles that form the backbone of a robust food safety plan. As John Ruskin wisely noted, “Quality is never an accident. It is always the result of [...]

Food Fraud and Importation According to clause 5(1) of Food and Drug Act of Canada: “No person shall label, package, treat, process, sell or advertise any food in a manner that is false, misleading or deceptive or is likely to create an erroneous impression regarding its character, value, quantity, composition, merit or safety”. Yet the reality of food fraud is a continuing challenge. In March 2023, Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) released news titled “Government of Canada prevents more than 100,000 kg of misrepresented food from being sold in Canada”. From this news, it is understood that [...]

Gluten-Free Claim and Related Compliance Verification Complete and accurate gluten information on food product packaging is crucial for individuals living with celiac disease or non-celiac gluten sensitivities. According to the Canadian Celiac Association, one percent of the world’s population is at risk for celiac disease and another 2-5% for gluten disorders. There is a large amount of information available to the public regarding gluten allergy, celiac disease, and gluten-free claim requirements which may at times appear overwhelming to consumers. At the same time, manufacturers and importers need to be clear on regulations, what is expected from them, [...]

Preparation for CFIA Preventive Control Plan (PCP) Inspection: Hazard Vs. Risk (Part 2) The is the second article in our series on Preparation for CFIA Preventive Control Plan Inspection. Read Part 1. The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) has developed a guidance document for the CFIA Inspectors to follow when conducting Preventive Control plan inspection. The guidance is divided into two main sections of “Common Inspection Guidance” and “Assessing Preventive Controls”. Each section contains several subsections. A subsection under “Common Inspection Guidance” is “Standard Inspection Process” and where CFIA defines the terms Deviation Vs. Non-compliance and Hazard [...]

On December 15, 2022, CFIA will commence enforcement on food label compliance. From December 15, 2022, until December 14, 2023, the food industry is expected to be fully compliant. In cases of outstanding nonconformity, businesses must be prepared to provide a Corrective Action Plan to CFIA upon request. Food Labeling Regulations Timeline Food label modernization are a part of Health Canada’s Healthy Eating Strategy program, an initiative that began in 2013. The goal was to set guidelines to improve the clarity and quality of information displayed on food labels and packaging in order to help Canadians make healthier, [...]