Advocacy
Animal products import policy available for feedback
An updated version of the Terrestrial animal products and by-products: Import policy is posted on our website and we are seeking feedback from all stakeholders involved in importing animal products and by-products.
The policy covers the import of many animal products and by-products such as:
| meatmilk productsegg productspet food and chewshidesrendered productslab samplesand several others |
Key updates include:
| a section on product coding and declarationzoosanitary certificate guidelinesinformation on case-by-case reviewstransshipment guidelinesexplanation of end usesclarification about non-resident importerslist of countries with approved rendering systemsreferences to current laws, websites and teams at the Canadian Food Inspection Agency |
The policy isn’t intended to provide country-specific import conditions. For specific conditions, please visit the Automated Import Reference System (AIRS).
You are welcome to review this draft policy and send your comments or questions to APABPImport@inspection.gc.ca between December 17, 2025 and February 17, 2026. The policy will not be implemented until after this feedback period, when all replies have been reviewed and considered
Federal
Consult Hermetically sealed glass container defects: Identification and classification to access new guidance on identifying and classifying defects in hermetically sealed glass containers used for food preservation.
Prohibition of Certain Toxic Substances Regulations
On December 31, 2025, the Prohibition of Certain Toxic Substances Regulations, 2025 (the 2025 Regulations) were published in Canada Gazette, Part II. The 2025 Regulations will repeal and replace the Prohibition of Certain Toxic Substances Regulations, 2012 (the 2012 Regulations) when they come into force on June 30, 2026.
The Prohibition of Certain Toxic Substances Regulations are a multi-substance risk management instrument used to prohibit the manufacture, use, sale and import of certain toxic substances, as well as products containing these substances, with some exemptions.
The 2025 Regulations further restrict the manufacture, use, sale and import of perfluorooctane sulfonate, its salts and its precursors (PFOS), perflurooctanoic acid, its salts and its precursors (PFOA), long-chain perfluorocarboxylic acids, their salts and their precursors (LC-PFCAs), hexabromocyclododecane (HBCD) and polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), as well as products containing these substances, which are already prohibited with some exemptions under the 2012 Regulations. The 2025 Regulations also introduce restrictions on the manufacture, use, sale and import of Dechlorane Plus (DP) and decabromodiphenyl ethane (DBDPE), and products containing these substances, with some time-limited exemptions.
Specific exemptions (authorized activities) are provided for certain activities under the 2025 Regulations to provide time for industry to transition to alternatives.
The Proposed Regulations were published in the Canada Gazette, Part I, on May 14, 2022, for a 75-day public comment period. A summary of comments received and responses to these comments can be found in the Regulatory Impact Analysis Statements of the 2025 Regulations.
Permits
Where specific exemptions have not been provided, the 2025 Regulations allow for permits to be issued for one year and renewed twice (for a total maximum of up to three years) if certain conditions are met, to temporarily allow the continued manufacture or import of DP or DBDPE, or products containing these substances, the import of certain products containing PFOA or LC-PFCAs, and the manufacture or import of certain products containing HBCD or decaBDE.
Permit applications must be submitted on Environment and Climate Change Canada’s (ECCC) Regulatory Services Platform during the permit application period, between July 1, 2026 and July 30, 2026 (30 days after the 2025 Regulations come into force).
Should you need a permit to temporarily continue your activities, ECCC recommends that you start preparing your permit application and contact us with any questions ahead of the permit application period.
Laboratory Reporting Requirements
Reporting requirements for listed toxic substances, and products containing them, that are to be used in a laboratory for analysis, in scientific research, or as a laboratory analytical standard will be maintained under the 2025 Regulations. However, as of June 30, 2026, when the 2025 Regulations come into force, laboratories must also report on the use of DP and DBDPE, in addition to the substances already listed under the 2012 Regulations.
Please note that if you are a user of any listed toxic substance, or a product containing it, for the above purposes, you are now required to report its planned use through ECCC’s Regulatory Services Platform.
Please note that the publication of the Order Amending the Export Control List (ECL) in Schedule 3 to the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999 (CEPA) (the Order) is planned after the publication of the Prohibition of Certain Toxic Substances Regulations, 2025.
There will be two information sessions on the 2025 Regulations and updates to the Order amending the ECL. To register, please complete the following form before February 16, 2026:
English – February 20, 2026 at 13:30 EST – English session registration form
French – February 19, 2026 at 13:30 EST – French session registration form
You are invited to submit your questions in advance of the sessions either within the registration form or by emailing interdiction-prohibition@ec.gc.ca with the subject line “Information session – Question on the 2025 Regulations and/or the Order”.
More information
For further information regarding the 2025 Regulations, please visit the webpage Prohibition of Certain Toxic Substances Regulations, 2025: overview
Draft Guidelines for Canadian Drinking Water Quality, Haloacetic Acids – Canada.ca
This guideline technical document outlines the evaluation of the available information on haloacetic acids (HAAs) with the intent of updating the guideline value(s) for HAAs in drinking water. The purpose of this consultation is to solicit comments on the proposed guideline value(s), on the approach used for its development, and on the potential economic costs of implementing it.
This document proposes a MAC of 0.08 mg/L (80 µg/L) for total HAAs (measured as HAA6: HAA5 plus bromochloroacetic acid [BCAA]) in drinking water, based on exposure and health effects, and taking into consideration both treatment technology and the ability of treatment plants to achieve the guideline.
CFIA suspends Goodfood’s licence – Food In CanadaFood In Canada
On December 30, 2025, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) suspended the Safe Food for Canadians (SFC) licence of meal kit delivery service company Goodfood Market, Saint-Laurent, Que.
CFIA suspended the licence for non-compliance with Part 4 of the Safe Food for Canadians Regulations (SFCR), which pertains to preventative controls.
There is no recall associated with this suspension.
The licence suspension will be lifted when corrective measures have been taken by the licence holder. If corrective action is not taken within 90 days after the suspension, the licence may be cancelled.
Provincial
The Manitoba government is increasing road safety for highway workers and travelers by bringing
the Highway Traffic Amendment Act (Traffic Safety Measures) into force on Jan. 1, Transportation
and Infrastructure Minister Lisa Naylor announced today.
Ontario reshapes enforcement with administrative penalties | Canadian Occupational Safety
Ontario has created a new administrative monetary penalty regime under its Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA), giving inspectors the power to issue monetary penalties for health and safety violations as part of a broader package of workplace law changes that took effect November 27, 2025.
Federal traceability regulations: Minister Sigurdson | alberta.ca
Minister of Agriculture and Irrigation RJ Sigurdson issued the following statement about proposed amendments to the federal livestock traceability regulations:
Nova Scotians will soon be able to receive a 10 per cent discount to buy fresh, locally grown food directly from local farmers through Nova Scotia Loyal.
The discount will apply to community-based agriculture subscriptions, also known as farm shares, where people pay for a share of the food the farm produces.
USA
FSIS Guideline for Label Approval | Food Safety and Inspection Service
FSIS Issues Updated Guidance on the Voluntary “Product of USA” Labeling Claim
FSIS has issued updated labeling guidance to support industry implementation of the voluntary “Product of USA” labeling standard that will be effective Jan. 1, 2026. A recorded webinar is available on the FSIS website. The updated Directive 7221.1: Prior Labeling Approval for FSIS in plant personnel is also available
World Agricultural Production
Monthly report on crop acreage, yield and production in major countries worldwide. Sources include reporting from FAS’s worldwide offices, official statistics of foreign governments, and analysis of economic data and satellite imagery. The report reflects official USDA estimates released in the monthly World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates (WASDE).
USDA Announces Priorities for Research and Development in 2026 – Quality Assurance & Food Safety
The USDA has outlined research and development priorities geared toward increasing profitability for farmers and ranchers, expanding markets for US agricultural products and protecting against invasive species. The initiative also focuses on promoting soil health and improving human health through precision nutrition
International
ECHA takes on new tasks to strengthen toy safety
The European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) will assess chemical safety in toys, process companies’ derogation requests to use prohibited chemicals and provide scientific recommendations through its expert committees. These responsibilities come from the new Toy Safety Regulation, which entered into force on 1 January.
Highlights from December RAC and SEAC meetings
The Committees for Risk Assessment (RAC) and for Socio-Economic Analysis (SEAC) progressed their evaluation of the proposed restriction on PFAS. RAC is expected to adopt its opinion in March 2026 while SEAC will agree its draft opinion for further consultation.
RAC also adopted its first harmonised classification and labelling opinion on a new hazard class: very persistent, very bioaccumulative (vPvB).
Safety Share
December 2025 issue: Workplace Hazardous Products Program newsletter – Canada.ca
The 3-year transition period for the amended Hazardous Products Regulations (HPR) ended on December 14, 2025.
Now, all hazardous products must have hazard classifications, safety data sheets (SDSs), and labels (if applicable) that fully comply with the amended HPR. Claimants who submitted SDSs and labels based on the former HPR prior to the end of the transition period may be required, at Health Canada’s request, to provide a revised SDS and/or label based on the amended HPR. Read More
Electrical product safety – Canada.ca
Portable electric heaters can make your space cozy. They can also be a serious fire hazard if not used properly.
Keep them at least 1 meter away from flammable materials like curtains, clothes, and bedding to avoid a fire hazard.
Also, always plug heaters directly into a wall outlet, avoiding extension cords or power bars as they could overheat.
Learn more about portable electric heaters
Events
Webinar Registration – Zoom Food 4.0: Let’s Build the Future of Canada’s Food Sector Together Jan 21, 2026 01:00 PM EST
CFIN’s Food 4.0 Action Plan is designed to help the food sector to collaborate and catalyze momentum. Join CFIN for an inside look at their national action plan to help food and beverage businesses, — especially SMEs — unlock growth and competitiveness.
The GFSI Conference, set for March 24-26, 2026, in Vancouver, Canada, will bring together more than 600 experts and business leaders from more than 40 countries to find ways to ensure greater action on food safety challenges.
To find out more about the conference and register, click here.
Information sessions
There will be two information sessions on the 2025 Regulations and updates to the Order amending the ECL. To register, please complete the following form before February 16, 2026:
English – February 20, 2026 at 13:30 EST – English session registration form
French – February 19, 2026 at 13:30 EST – French session registration form
You are invited to submit your questions in advance of the sessions either within the registration form or by emailing interdiction-prohibition@ec.gc.ca with the subject line “Information session – Question on the 2025 Regulations and/or the Order”.
English 
French