The Top 3 Questions about Importing and Selling Organic Products in Canada  

 

The three most Common questions companies ask when importing organic and health food products into Canada.  

The Canadian food market is desirable for companies from around the globe. However, accessing this lucrative market is not a simple undertaking. The Canadian healthy food and product market requires companies to uphold high standards across all aspects of their products, including sourcing, development, packaging, and shipping.    

As a CPG Health Food and Health Product Broker, BNQ Management has extensive experience navigating the requirements for brands to get listed with Canadian retailers. In our 6 years of business, we have helped over 80 health food and product brands grow in the Canadian health product market with a market value of over $250,000,000 in lifetime sales.  

While it would be nice that all health brands who wish to sell in the Canadian market can, only those who meet all legislative requirements and obtain the necessary certifications can be considered. It can be difficult for companies outside of Canada to know where to start. That’s why we’ve compiled this list of the top three questions from companies trying to break into the Canadian retail market.  

“To get listed, you must pitch your product to each retailer and make a case for why it would benefit that retailer, taking into account competitive and similar brand performance, market demand, and the local demographic.” 

Question 1:   

What certificates are required for my company to sell organic products within Canada?  

Most commonly, companies will first get certified with Safe Food for Canadians Regulations (SFCR). Which Food License you require will depend on the food country of origin, manufacturing, processing, treating, preserving, grading, packaging, labelling and more. Be sure to review the SFCR requirements and get all licenses that apply to your product. 

The next step is to obtain an organics certification from an accredited certification body that is accredited by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA). The CFIA outlines these requirements via the Automated Import Reference System (AIRS).  The Government of Canada website has a CIFA section where you can search for the product(s) you wish to import and find the certification requirements.   

Different types of health food and products require different certifications. The most common ones are Organic Certification, Natural Health Products (NHPs), and third-party certifications supplied by Quality Assurance International (QAI) and Organic Crop Improvement Association (OCIA). Let’s discuss the role that each of these certificates and organizations plays in the Canadian health food and product market.   

What is the Natural Health Products Certificate?  

This certification applies to health products that do not fall in the food category, such as vitamins, minerals, herbal remedies, probiotics, and other supplements. These health products are regulated by Health Canada’s Natural and Non-Prescription Health Products Directorate (NHPD). For your product to become certified, a company must meet all requirements and be assessed for safety, efficacy, and quality. When all standards are met, the company will receive a Natural Product Number (NPN) with the Licensed Natural Health Product Database.  

What are the Third-Party Certifications my company will require?  

Third-Party Certifications are not always mandatory or applicable to all products, but many companies choose to apply for these certifications to gain more consumer trust. When a customer is choosing one brand over another, certifications like these can be the deciding factor.   

Quality Assurance International (QAI)  

QAI provides organic certifications to crop and livestock producers. This includes livestock, dairy and poultry products; processors and manufacturers; distributors, traders and packers; and facilities, restaurants and retailers. This certification is not required for CPG Health Food Companies unless you are selling the above-listed products. Be sure to consult with the Canadian Food Inspection Agency about whether this certification is right for your company.   

Organic Crop Improvement Association (OCIA)  

The Organic Crop Improvement Association is a nonprofit, member-owned agricultural organization that provides organic certifications to the agriculture industry. As a CPG health food or product company, it is prudent to familiarize yourself with this organization and its certification requirements. Even if the certification doesn’t directly apply to your product, it can be an excellent guide for sourcing certified organic ingredients for your production process.   

Navigating organic certification requirements in Canada can be an arduous process, but it is crucial if you want to sell organic products in the Canadian market. Your first step should be to contact the Canadian Food Inspection Agency and determine which certifications are mandatory and which ones would strengthen your brand’s reputation.   

Question 2:  

How do I know if my labelling meets Canadian requirements for organic food in Canada?  

For a product to be labelled as organic in Canada it must meet the minimum requirement of being made with 95% organic ingredients and be certified by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency. There are also options such as labelling a product as containing X% amount organic ingredients if the organic ingredient levels are between 70% and 95%.   

Canada packaging also has universal labelling requirements, such as bilingual labelling, a detailed list of ingredients and allergens (Canadian Nutrition Label), the product having a common and recognizable name, stating the country of origin, date markings and storage instructions, the company’s legal name and place of business of the manufacturer or distributor, if a food has been irradiated, and the label must be legible and located in a way that the consumer can easily view it.   

To ensure your label meets Canadian standards, visit the Canadian Food Inspection Agency website. 

Let’s expand on a couple of these items.  

One of Canada’s most recognizable labels is the Canadian Nutrition Label. This must be included on all packaged food sold in Canada. Here are some of the most common requirements. 

Most food labels must include a nutrition facts table, which shows: 

• serving size 

• calories and nutrients 

• % daily value (% DV) 

A list of ingredients, including: 

• added sulphites 

• common allergens 

• gluten sources (when present as ingredients or components of ingredients) 

Many also include the amount of a nutrient in a food, such as: 

• low sodium 

• high fiber 

Or state whether a food item is high in:  

• sodium 

• sugars 

• saturated fats 

Be sure to check the government regulations for each of the products you with to import to Canada.  

Now, on to bilingual requirements. Canada a bilingual county. English and French are Canada’s Specific Bilingual Requirements for food packing in Canada. Below are top most common requirements. 

Bilingual elements must include:  

• Common Name: The common name of the food must be in both English and French.  

• Net Quantity: The net quantity declaration must also be in both English and French.  

• Ingredients: The list of ingredients, including allergens, must be in both English and French.  

• Nutrition Facts: The nutrition facts table must also be in both languages.  

• Date Markings: Date markings, such as “best before” or “use by” dates, must be in both languages.  

• Storage Instructions: If storage instructions are required, they must also be in both languages.  

• Country of Origin: The country of origin must be declared in both languages.  

• Irradiated Foods: If a food has been irradiated, this must be declared in both languages. 

More information about these guidelines can be found on the Canadian Food Inspection Agency page on the Government of Canada website. 

Question 3: 

How do I start selling my product with Canadian retailers?  

Getting shelf space with Canadian retailers requires getting listed with each retail company. The market for organic and health foods and products is competitive, and many brands find themselves on long wait lists to get a listing.   

To get listed, you must pitch your product to each retailer and make a case for why it would benefit that retailer, taking into account competitive and similar brand performance, market demand, and the local demographic. Your company will also need a distribution plan that shows that your product supply can meet demands.   

Navigating the retailer relationship has other requirements such as negotiating your products position in promotions, flyers, shelf placement, and more. These requirements and intricate industry know-how are why most CPG food and product businesses work with CPG Broker Companies.   

At BNQ Management, we build a business case for each distributor or listing opportunity which help our clients navigate the complexities of reaching success in the health food and product market. Our services also include creating a year-by-year detailed budget and business plan for each product. Hidden costs are one of the leading downfalls of new brands. At BNQ, all costs of doing business are shared with our clients before we pitch them to retailers. This helps growing companies determine their budget and plan for their growth stage.   

On average, brands that work with BNQ Management have seen 155% growth in their first year. This rapid growth can be attributed to our unique approach of leveraging historical market data to determine sales projections, providing complete transparency to our client via out Client Portal, and our strong and longstanding relationships with retailers across Canada.   

If your company is interested in selling your natural and organic food and products in Canada, set up a Free Consultation. Our team is here to help.