Product of Canada: According to the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA), the "Product
of Canada" label indicates that the majority, if not all, of the food, processing, and labor involved in producing the item is Canadian. These produ
cts are grown or raised by Canadian farmers, processed, and packaged within Canada, though they may contain minor imported ingredients like spices, additives, vitamins, and flavorings. For non-food items, the Competition Bureau states that this label can only be used if at least 98% of the manufacturing or production costs were incurred in Canada.
Made in Canada: The "Made in Canada" label can be used when a product has undergone its final substantial transformation in Canada. For example, the CFIA considers turning cheese, dough, sauce, and other ingredients into a pizza as a substantial transformation. For non-food products, the Competition Bureau specifies that this label is only allowed when the last significant change took place in Canada, and at least 51% of the production or manufacturing costs occurred in Canada. Both the CFIA and the Competition Bureau require that businesses state whether the product is made from imported components or a mix of both imported and domestic parts.
Canadian: The CFIA defines "Canadian" in the same way as "Product of Canada," meaning that all or nearly all of the major ingredients, processing, and labor used to create the food must be Canadian. For instance, if you see "Canadian" on a package of frozen lasagna, it means the product fulfills the "Product of Canada" criteria. The same applies to ingredients: if a package of cheddar cheese sauce mentions "Canadian cheddar cheese," all or most of the key ingredients and processes involved in making the cheese are Canadian.
100% Canadian: To use the term "100% Canadian," the CFIA states that both the food or ingredient in question and all aspects of its production—including processing and labor—must be entirely Canadian.
Maple Leaf: The CFIA explains that while the maple leaf on food packaging often signifies a "Product of Canada," it does not always guarantee that the product is wholly or partly Canadian. To avoid misleading consumers, they recommend that food companies include a domestic content statement alongside the maple leaf, although many do not follow this guidance.
Produced or Manufactured in Canada: The Competition Bureau clarifies that terms like "produced" or "manufactured" in Canada are typically understood by consumers as meaning "Made in Canada." Therefore, products using these terms must meet the same criteria required for the "Made in Canada" claim.
Local: The CFIA says that if a product is advertised as "local," it must be produced within the same province or territory where it is sold, or within 50 km of that province or territory if it is sold across provincial borders.
The Blue Cow: In the dairy section, the Dairy Farmers of Canada’s blue cow logo indicates that the product was made with 100% Canadian milk and milk ingredients.
Meat and Poultry: According to the CFIA, meat can only be labeled as "Product of Canada" if it comes from animals that are born, raised, and slaughtered in Canada. For feeder cattle, they must have spent at least 60 days in Canada before being slaughtered.
Fish and Seafood: The CFIA allows wild fish and seafood to be labeled as "Product of Canada" if the fish were caught by Canadian vessels in Canadian waters, and the products are processed in Canada using Canadian ingredients. For farmed fish, the farm must be located in Canada, and the processing must occur within the country with Canadian ingredients.
Dairy and Eggs: Eggs from imported hens and milk from imported cows can be labeled as "Product of Canada" as long as the eggs are laid and the milk is produced in Canada, even if the animals themselves were imported.
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