Category Archives: Blog

Today, the FDA published a web page, Frequently Asked Questions: Food Allergen Labeling Guidance for Industry, as a resource for the 5th edition of FDA’s Guidance for Industry titled: Questions and Answers Regarding Food Allergens, Including the Food Allergen Labeling Requirements of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act. The web page comprises questions the FDA received from stakeholders, including industry, trade associations and consumers after publishing the final guidance. The final guidance is intended to help the food industry meet the requirements for listing major food allergens (milk, egg, fish, Crustacean shellfish, tree nuts, wheat, peanuts, soybeans, and sesame) on the labels of FDA-regulated foods. Food labels are an important tool that help protect consumers with food allergies. They can avoid ingredients they may be allergic to in a food by looking for specific allergen labeling and reading the ingredient list.

The searchable functionality of the new web page makes it a convenient resource for industry and consumers interested in learning more about Questions and Answers Regarding Food Allergens, Including the Food Allergen Labeling Requirements of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act.

Canadians have been clear in recent weeks that they want to support Canadian businesses and buy Canadian products now, more than ever.

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency has issued a Notice to Industry regarding the importance of accurate use of Product of Canada and Made in Canada labelling. When using these claims, it is important to follow the guidance for their use and ensure the label is accurate and not misleading. Accurate “Made in Canada” and “Product of Canada” labelling fosters a fair marketplace, builds trust, and strengthens consumer confidence in Canadian businesses.

Consult the notice to industry to learn more.

To support the Canadian agriculture and food industry as U.S. tariffs are implemented, Farm Credit Canada is providing $1 billion in new lending to help alleviate financial challenges.

“There is no relationship in the world like the one Canada shares with the United States, and that certainly extends to our agriculture sectors. Our supply chains are highly integrated, and our producers rely on fair access to the U.S. market. These unjustified tariffs will have a direct impact on them,” said the Honourable Lawrence MacAulay, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food. “Building on our Team Canada response, FCC will be providing financial support to the sector as we adapt to the challenges ahead, so our farmers can keep their operations going and continue producing the best products in the world.”

“We know that agriculture and food producers across Canada are bracing for uncertainty,” said Justine Hendricks, FCC president and CEO. “Agribusinesses, farm operations and food processors are key drivers of our economy and FCC is ready to provide meaningful and immediate support to keep the industry moving forward at this critical time.”

Hendricks said that FCC will rapidly deliver solutions for the industry to adapt to the changing trade and economic conditions. Initially, the focus is on assisting the industry in addressing cash flow challenges so that businesses can adjust to a new operating environment.

Through the Trade Disruption Customer Support program, FCC will provide relief for viable customers and non-customers who meet the necessary lending criteria. This includes access to an additional credit line up to $500,000 and new term loans. Current FCC customers have the option to defer principal payments for up to 12 months on existing loans.

FCC customers and non-customers should contact their local FCC office or call 1-800-387-3232 to discuss their individual situations and available options. Lending due diligence will be carried out on all applications.

“Supporting the industry will also take strong collaboration as part of a team Canada approach,” said Hendricks. “FCC has served as a strong, reliable, and trusted industry presence for more than 65 years, and this current situation is no different. We will be working in partnership with industry associations and other financial providers to offer the solutions needed by the agriculture and food industry to take on the challenges ahead.”

“Canadian agriculture and food businesses supply high value and quality products to U.S. buyers and a positive trade relationship benefits both countries,” said J.P. Gervais, FCC chief economist. “Despite this latest challenge, FCC will continue to provide capital solutions and be a catalyst for value creation to advance Canada’s leadership in agriculture and food production.”

FCC continues to evaluate the economic impact of tariffs implemented by Canada’s largest trading partner on the Canadian agriculture and food sector to ensure that we are best able to support the industry.

About FCC

FCC is proud to be 100 per cent invested in Canadian agriculture and food. The organization’s employees are committed to the long-standing success of those who produce and process Canadian food. FCC provides flexible financing and capital solutions, while creating value through data, knowledge, relationships and expertise. FCC offers a complement of financial and non-financial products and services designed to support the complex and evolving needs of the industry. As a commercial Crown corporation, FCC is a stable partner that reinvests profits back into the industry and communities it serves. For more information, visit fcc.ca.

News from the Canadian Food Inspection Agency

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) has developed an industry guidance on the importation of non compliant meat products falling under section 19 of the Safe Food for Canadians Regulations (SFCR).

Importers may import meat products from United States which do not meet Canadian labelling and/or compositional requirements and that are intended to be manufactured, processed, treated, preserved, graded, packaged or labelled in Canada for the purpose of export.

To import a meat product shipment that meets this criteria, please follow the industry guidance on importing meat products falling under section 19 of the SFCR.

For details, please refer to the Industry Notice.

If you have any concerns or questions, please contact Ask CFIA.

News from the Canadian Food Inspection Agency

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) is working to strengthen import controls for organic foods through a 2-phase project.

Phase 1 of the project was completed in November 2024. This phase introduced new Other Government Department (OGD) codes into CFIA’s Automated Import Reference System (AIRS) and required importers and brokers to declare whether they have a copy of the organic products certificate in their possession. The implementation of this phase has gone well and CFIA is now ready to proceed with Phase 2.

Beginning May 26, 2025, importers/brokers will be required to provide a digital copy (image) of the organic certificate(s) as part of their Integrated Import Declaration (IID) also referred to as the CBSA Single Window. The CBSA will assign a Unique Reference Number (URN) for each uploaded organic product certificate. The URN can be used as part of the submission when completing the declaration in the IID. This will allow importers/ brokers to use the same URN for multiple shipments. Declarations may also include multiple URNs as required.

Please note that once this measure comes into effect, failure to upload a copy of the organic product certificate or a URN (where the certificate was already provided in a previous declaration) will result in a reject message until the organic product certificate digital copy or URN is provided. It is the responsibility of the importer to familiarize themselves with the newly added organic products in AIRS and ensure compliance.

If you have any questions, please contact the Canada Organic Regime team at OPR-RPB@inspection.gc.ca.