Newsletter – September 15, 2025

Advocacy

REMINDER: Uploading Organic Product Certificates in IID
The CFIA has updated the content of Canada Organic Regime import requirements for added clarity on the requirements for organic product certificates submitted with import declarations.
The requirement to upload a copy of the organic product certificate in the Integrated Import Declaration (IID) has been in effect for 3 months.
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) is asking importers and brokers who submit import declarations to make sure that:

For more detailed information please visit Canada Organic Regime import requirements.
If you have any questions, please contact the Canada Organic Regime team at OPR-RPB@inspection.gc.ca

Federal

Melitta moves coffee production to Canada – Food In CanadaFood In Canada
From this month, all Melitta Canada coffee products will be roasted and packaged in Canada through a partnership with a private company. They were previously packaged at Melitta’s U.S. manufacturing facility in Cherry Hill, N.J.

Prime Minister Carney launches new measures to protect, build, and transform Canadian strategic industries | Prime Minister of Canada
The Prime Minister, Mark Carney, today announced a series of new, strategic measures for workers and businesses in those sectors most impacted by U.S. tariffs and trade disruptions. These initiatives will help workers acquire new skills and businesses retool their production and diversify their products, while spurring more domestic demand for Canadian businesses. As we build the economy of the future, we’re ensuring workers and industries can bridge to seize its opportunities.

Good manufacturing practices guide for natural health products (GUI-0158) – Canada.ca
This revised guidance document contains new information to make the document clearer and align with current industry practices. This guidance takes effect March 4, 2026.

Health Canada and the Public Health Agency of Canada’s report on red tape reduction – Canada.ca
On September 8, 2025, Health Canada and the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) published a report on red tape reduction on Canada.ca.
 The report outlines how Health Canada and PHAC are modernizing their regulatory processes to reduce red tape, while maintaining the highest standards to protect the health and safety of Canadians.

PMRA Recent postings of consultations and decisions
The Health Canada Pest Management Regulatory Agency (PMRA) is responsible for pesticide regulation in Canada. The public registry is where you can learn more about all pest control products registered for use in Canada.

• Heptyl butyrate, disposable yellowjacket trap-W, yellowjacket trap cartridge refill, and yellowjacket trap (PRD2025-08)  Open Consultation Posted: September 12, 2025
• Fluoxapiprolin (PMRL2025-20)  Open Consultation Posted: September 12, 2025
• Fluoxapiprolin and Xivana Prime (PRD2025-07)  Open Consultation Posted: September 12, 2025
• Cyclobutrifluram (PMRL2025-19)  Open Consultation Posted: September 12, 2025

Provincial

Rural Ontario Development Program | ontario.ca
Applications are being accepted until September 24, 2025 at 5:00 PM EDT. 
Small rural Ontario businesses may be eligible to apply for cost-share of up to 35% of eligible costs, up to a maximum of $10,000.
 
Fisheries and Oceans Canada partners with the Manitoba Government for second aquatic invasive species roadside inspection blitz this summer – Canada.ca
This summer, Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO), in partnership with the Manitoba Government, conducted joint roadside inspections on Highway 1 (the Trans-Canada Highway) near the Manitoba-Ontario border to stop and inspect watercraft for AIS and to ensure they were cleaned, drained and dried before crossing the provincial border.
Following the success of a roadside inspection blitz in June, DFO and Manitoba jointly conducted a second blitz from August 22 to 24, 2025.
 
Ontario Made Manufacturing Investment Tax Credit | ontario.ca
The Ontario Made Manufacturing Investment Tax Credit (OMMITC) is a 10 per cent refundable corporate income tax credit available to Canadian-controlled private corporations (CCPCs) that make eligible investments in Ontario. Eligible investments include expenditures for construction, removing or acquiring buildings used for manufacturing or processing, as well as machinery and equipment used in the manufacturing or processing of goods in Ontario.
 
BC Gov News
Lana Popham, Minister of Agriculture and Food, has released a statement about provincial meat inspectors being classified as essential workers. 

USA

FDA Launches Crackdown on Deceptive Drug Advertising | FDA
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the Food and Drug Administration today announced sweeping reforms to rein in misleading direct-to-consumer pharmaceutical advertisements. Today, the FDA is sending thousands of letters warning pharmaceutical companies to remove misleading ads and issuing approximately 100 cease-and-desist letters to companies with deceptive ads.

FDA Launches Real-Time Adverse Event Reporting Dashboard for Cosmetic Products | FDA
he U.S. Food and Drug Administration today announced the launch of the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS) Public Dashboard for Cosmetic Products, an interactive tool designed to facilitate the public’s ability to query real-time adverse event data on cosmetic products. The user-friendly platform allows users to download report listings or data sets, with reports being updated daily to include the most recent submissions.

FDA Issues Warning About Imported Cookware That May Leach Lead: August 2025 | FDA
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is warning retailers and consumers not to sell or use certain imported cookware  that may leach significant levels of lead (Pb) into food. Some types of imported cookware products made from aluminum, brass, and aluminum alloys known as Hindalium/Hindolium or Indalium/Indolium have been tested by FDA and state partners, and found to leach lead into foodExternal Link Disclaimer when used for cooking, thereby making food unsafe. Young children, women of child-bearing age, and those who are breastfeeding may be at higher risk for potential adverse events after eating food cooked using these products.

USDA to Provide $1 Billion to Flood and Wildfire-Impacted Livestock Producers | USDA
U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke L. Rollins today announced eligible livestock producers will receive disaster recovery assistance through the Emergency Livestock Relief Program for 2023 and 2024 Flood and Wildfire (ELRP 2023 and 2024 FW) to help offset increased supplemental feed costs due to a qualifying flood or qualifying wildfire in calendar years 2023 and 2024. The program is expected to provide approximately $1 billion in recovery benefits. Sign-up begins on Monday, September 15. Livestock producers have until October 31, 2025, to apply for assistance.

Warning links raw milk to bird flu | Food Safety News
The CDC is warning that drinking raw milk can lead to human infections from the bird flu virus.
In a research report released Sept. 8, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention outlined the risks of H5N1 virus in unpasteurized dairy products. The report said the risk is low, but should be considered, especially for children, older adults and people with immune comprised systems.

International

The safety of Brazilian beef imports remains at issue | Food Safety News
Brazil, the world’s largest beef exporter, faces scrutiny in the U.S. due to concerns over food safety and animal health, with the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) highlighting Brazil’s delayed reporting of atypical BSE cases and trade barriers that limit U.S. beef access..
 
Report highlights UK meat smuggling crisis | Food Safety News
Britain is sleepwalking through its biggest food safety crisis since the horse meat scandal, according to a report on meat smuggling.
The Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee said it is unacceptable that there is no publicly available data showing the scale and nature of illegal meat entering the country and its destination.

Safety Share

Electrical product safety – Canada.ca
Replacing any electrical appliances for the home?
Electrical products that plug into an outlet must meet Canadian national safety standards and be certified by an accredited certification body.
Always check for certification marks, such as CSA, cUL, or cETL, before purchasing.
These marks indicate that the products are assessed and conform to the required Canadian national safety standard.
Learn more about electrical product safety

Events

Save the Date – FDA Virtual Public Meeting on Food Allergen Thresholds and Their Potential Applications
Dates:
• Virtual Presentations and Panel Discussions – November 18, 2025
• Virtual Listening Sessions – November 19-20, 2025
Event Overview:
The FDA will host a three-day, virtual public meeting from November 18-20, 2025, to discuss food allergen thresholds and their potential applications.
Additional meeting details and registration information will be provided in September 2025.

Home | Mexico’s Food Retailers Landscape FREE Webinar September 23, 2025 11am EDT
Join the Government of Ontario for a free webinar to learn about the retail space in the Mexican market.  If you are interested in exploring new markets, this is an opportunity to learn about the Mexican market and the opportunities it offers to Ontario food and beverage manufacturers.  

Registration | Register for E-Commerce 101: Best Practices in the USA Webinar  Thursday, October 23, 2025 1:30 PM – 2:30 PM EDT
Join the Government of Ontario, Solimpex and Walmart.com for a free webinar to learn about E-Commerce opportunities and considerations. E-Commerce is transforming the export landscape for Ontario food suppliers, allowing them to reach a more diverse audience
 
Webinar Registration – Zoom   Learn how AI is changing F&B processing  Oct 8, 2025 01:00 PM
This webinar explores the potential of artificial intelligence (AI) to transform Canada’s F&B processing industry by enhancing operational efficiency, streamlining processes, and improving food safety.
The Oct. 8th session will highlight how AI is being deployed across supply chains, production lines, and quality control systems with real-world examples.  

Fully Funded Marketing Training for AgriFood & Innovation Sectors
You have another opportunity to access award-winning professional development—fully funded—through Growclass with its September 16, 2025, cohort. This 6-week online course is your chance to upskill, grow your business, and finish 2025 on a high note with support from Upskill Canada, powered by Palette Skills and the Government of Canada.

Program Value: $9,000 per person (funded in full)


Who’s it for?

• Small business owners managing growth, websites, and data.
• Marketers at all levels looking to upskill in AI, GA4, go-to-market strategies, and more.
• Professionals in innovation sectors who want to stay ahead of industry shifts.

Spots are limited—apply now: Apply Here.