On October 8, 2025, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) announced amendments to the Health of Animals Regulations and the Safe Food for Canadians Regulations (SFCR), published in the Canada Gazette, Part II. The changes, introduced as part of CFIA's Red Tape Reduction initiative, aim to reduce regulatory burden while maintaining food safety and consumer protection.

The authority to maintain fresh fruit and vegetable grade standards (other than onions, potatoes and apples) has been transferred from the CFIA to the Fruit and Vegetable Dispute Resolution Corporation.

According to DRC president & CEO, Luc Mougeot, “The regulatory change related to fresh fruit and vegetable grade standards means these standards can be changed more quickly to meet the needs of the industry. This will encourage innovation, flexibility and competitiveness for the sector. Industry has encouraged and supported this change for some time and DRC welcomes the change and the opportunity to take on responsibility for maintaining certain grade standards.”

Labelling changes

Consumer prepackaged fresh fruits and vegetables (FFV) are now exempt from net quantity declarations in several cases. These include packages of six or fewer items in transparent containers, produce held together with a confining band, and items wrapped in clear protective film, such as greenhouse cucumbers. These products are now considered "unpackaged."

Mandatory labelling information, including country of origin, grade, size designation, and net quantity, must now appear in a minimum type height of 1.6 millimetres for both consumer and non-consumer prepackaged FFV. Size designation statements are optional, but if used, must also follow the same type height rule.

The Units of Measurement for the Net Quantity Declaration of Certain Foods document was updated to allow declaration by weight, volume, or numerical count for consumer and non-consumer prepackaged ears of sweet corn, as well as for non-consumer prepackaged FFV in bags, unless otherwise specified.

Grading requirements

Mandatory grading has been removed for FFV destined for manufacturing, processing, or preserving. These products, such as vegetables for pickling, no longer require a Ministerial Exemption. FFV intended for repacking must still meet existing grading rules.

Responsibility for maintaining FFV grades, excluding apples, onions, and potatoes, has been transferred to the Fruit and Vegetable Dispute Resolution Corporation (DRC). A new document, Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Grade Requirements, will be created and maintained by the DRC. The Canadian Grade Compendium: Volume 2 will retain only apples, onions, and potatoes, which are subject to specific import grading requirements that support trade.

Updated grade standards

The minimum length for Canada No. 1 greenhouse long seedless cucumbers is now 254 millimetres (10 inches). Nectarine grade requirements have been added to reflect a 2010 test market authorization, while diameter and weight standards for Canada No. 1 round-type potatoes have been included from a 2019 test market authorization. Standard container size requirements linked to optional size designations for apples, cucumbers, and onions have been removed.

Consequential amendments

The Canadian Grade Compendium: Volume 9 – Import Grade Requirements and the Grade Standard Requirements for Fresh Fruits or Vegetables Imported from the United States were also updated to align with these changes.

The CFIA confirmed that the amendments came into force upon registration. No transition period was required, as the changes removed prescriptive requirements without triggering labelling modifications. Inspection levels and enforcement remain unchanged.

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Source: Canadian Food Inspection Agency October 8, 2025 and Dispute Resolution Corporation October 10, 2025 news release