In a time when more shoppers want to support local businesses and buy Canadian-made products, understanding what makes a product eligible for ‘Product of Canada’ and ‘Made in Canada’ labeling has never been more important.
At Localize, we help food brands and retailers navigate the complex world of food labeling. And when it comes to using phrases like “Product of Canada” or “Made in Canada,” the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) has clear rules to ensure claims are truthful, accurate, and not misleading to consumers.
We have developed a quick overview for you, but please take the time to review the CFIA’s Guidance for Origin Claims on Food Labels, which characterizes the rules in detail and to which all origin claims on packages must abide.
Here’s a quick breakdown of how it works:
“Product of Canada”: The Gold Standard
To use the “Product of Canada” claim, a food item must meet very high Canadian content standards:
✅ All or virtually all major ingredients must be Canadian (at least 98%)
✅ All processing and labour must take place in Canada
✅ Only minimal exceptions are allowed (like imported spices, cane sugar, or vitamins), and they must account for less than 2% of the total product
Think: a Canadian-made cookie using local flour, butter, oats, and milk — with only a hint of imported vanilla.
🛑 Important: The term “Canadian” on a food label (without any other context) is treated the same as “Product of Canada” and must meet the same strict standard.
“Made in Canada”: A Bit More Flexible
If your food product is manufactured in Canada — even using some imported ingredients — you may be eligible to use a “Made in Canada” claim, but it must include a qualifier.
You must add one of these:
- “Made in Canada from imported ingredients”
- “Made in Canada from domestic and imported ingredients”
✅ A “substantial transformation” must take place — meaning that the food is actually made or prepared in Canada (not just packaged).
❌ You can’t just say “Made in Canada” without a qualifying statement. Even phrases like “Proudly Made in Canada” require that clarification.
Other Acceptable Claims
CFIA also allows more specific claims, as long as they’re truthful and not misleading:
- “Roasted in Canada” (for imported coffee beans)
- “Packaged in Canada” (for bulk imported foods)
- “Prepared in Canada” or “Processed in Canada” (if the entire process happens here)
- “Contains Canadian cheddar cheese” – only if all of the cheddar is Canadian
❌ What You Can’t Say
- No multi-country origin claims like “Product of Canada and France”
- No vague phrases like “Made in Canada from domestic and/or imported ingredients”
- No “100% Canadian” unless every ingredient, process, and labour step is fully Canadian
Why This Matters
Origin claims build trust with consumers and influence buying decisions. But making false or misleading claims can lead to regulatory penalties — and worse, loss of brand credibility.
That’s where Localize comes in.
We help verify Canadian and regional identity claims for food products with rigour and clarity, ensuring compliance with CFIA rules and helping your brand stand out for the right reasons.
With more than 2,500 Canadian food companies already verified for local and regional identity programs through our platform, we’re ready to help you build transparency and trust – one product at a time.
Sign up here to get started.
Have questions? Please contact us, or take a look at our FAQs for answers to common questions.