Buy Canadian, Buy Local: A Shopping Guide

“Product of Canada” means that the product was made and processed in Canada, with almost all the ingredients coming from Canada. At least 98% of the production costs must be spent in Canada.

If a label says “Canadian,” it meets the “Product of Canada” rules.

This means the product must have been mostly changed or made in Canada, and at least 51% of the production costs must be from Canada.

A maple leaf on the label does not always mean that the product is Canadian. Always check the label for details on where it was made and where the ingredients come from.   

A product labeled “local” must be made in the province or territory where it’s sold or sold within 50km of the border from where it was made.

The blue cow logo on dairy products means they are made with 100% Canadian milk and milk ingredients, according to Dairy Farmers of Canada.

Meat can be labeled as a “product of Canada” if it meets these conditions:

• The animal must be from Canada and slaughtered in Canada.
• An animal is considered Canadian if it was born, raised, and slaughtered in Canada.
• Feeder cattle are considered Canadian if they have lived in Canada for at least 60 days before being slaughtered here.

Fish and seafood can be labeled as “product of Canada” if they meet these conditions:

• Wild fish and seafood must be caught by Canadian boats in Canadian waters. They must also be processed in Canada using Canadian ingredients.
• Farmed fish and seafood must come from farms in Canada. They must be processed in Canada using Canadian ingredients.

Eggs from imported hens and milk from imported cows can use the “product of Canada” label as long as the hen laid its eggs in Canada and the cow is milked in Canada. 

• How to Identify Canadian Food  
• Guidelines for “Product of Canada” and “Made in Canada” Claims 
• Ontario Food Definitions