02/04/2026
Food businesses face penalties for mislabelling products as Canadian.
Since April 1, 2025, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) has imposed monetary penalties totalling $47,000 for inaccurate or misleading origin claims.
Origin declarations must be truthful, substantiated, and compliant with applicable legislative requirements. Food business operators are responsible for ensuring that all products they sell, whether domestically produced or imported, comply with regulations. The CFIA conducts inspections, both in response to complaints and proactively, covering labels, advertising, and in-store communications. Controls include: documentary verification, assessment of business processes, and requests for corrective actions. Enforcement measures are determined based on the level of risk, the impact of the non-compliance, and the operator’s compliance history.
Accurate labelling is a fundamental requirement for consumer protection and fair market practices.
Should you require any clarification, please do not hesitate to contact Hylobates.