Laws and regulations that standardize and guide the dairy ingredients sector

The dairy industry is important for the economic well-being of Canada. In order to maintain a healthy economy, ensure an efficient industry, and provide consumers with quality products, federal and provincial regulations have been established.

This page provides summaries and links to various acts and regulations that standardize and guide the dairy ingredients sector. These acts and regulations affect such things as labeling, marketing, processing and much more.

  • Dairy Products Marketing Regulations

    The Dairy Products Marketing Regulations are regulations that standardize marketing in the dairy industry for interprovincial and export trade in Canada. They outline the cases in which the regulations apply and the requirements that must be met. Obtaining and maintaining licenses as well as books and records that must be kept are discussed, and subsidies and charges are detailed. Finally, the appointment and powers of executive boards are outlined.

    For more information, please consult the Dairy Products Marketing Regulations.

  • Dairy Products Regulations

    The Dairy Products Regulations are regulations which detail the standards of the Canadian dairy industry in regard to import, export and domestic trade. They provide requirements for the registration of dairy-related establishments as well as the maintenance for these places. They also cover the regulations regarding classification - grades, grade names, product names, registration numbers - of butter, cheese, milk powders, whey powders and other dairy products. Furthermore, health and safety standards for the products are outlined, whether they are for international or domestic trading, including detailed sections on packaging and sterilization.

    For more information, please consult the Dairy Products Regulations.

  • Processed Products Regulations

    The Processed Products Regulations are regulations detailing standards respecting the grading, packing and marking of processed products as they apply to import, export and interprovincial trade in Canada. It also deals with standards of health and safety, including sections on packing that detail requirements for containers, fills and packing media. They also cover classification - grades, grade names, marking, labelling - of processed products, as well as registration of establishments and operation and maintenance of these places. Finally, they outline the analysis, inspection and grading that the government offers and how one applies to test a market food product that does not meet requirements.

    For more information, please consult the Processed Products Regulations.

  • Canada Agricultural Products Act

    The Canada Agricultural Products Act is an act that details Canadian administrative regulations regarding the grading and marketing of agricultural products as they apply to import, export and interprovincial trade. It provides standards for registering and managing establishments and accredited laboratories as well as the financial and operational responsibilities. It discusses the Board of Arbitration and Review Tribunal, the organization to which complaints regarding the enforcement of the Agriculture and Agri-Food Administrative Act are presented. It also provides exact requirements for using national trademarks for agricultural products and for selling these products on the three different markets.

    For more information, please consult the Canada Agriculture Products Act.

  • Consumer Packaging and Labelling regulations

    The Consumer Packaging and Labelling Regulations are regulations which govern consumer packaging and labelling of products for import, export and interprovincial trade in Canada. The regulations begin by outlining which products are covered by these regulations. They also give bilingual requirements and standards for label layouts, detailing units of measurement and how features are to be presented; regulations for labelling prepackaged products are also given. In addition, standards for advertising, including pictorial representations, name and nutritional benefits, on the product are outlined.

    For more information, please consult the Consumer Packaging and Labelling Regulations.

  • Food and Drugs Act

    The Food and Drugs Act is an act dealing with food, drug, cosmetics and therapeutic devices applicable to Canadian imports and interprovincial trade - not exports. It gives general regulations for foods, drugs, cosmetics and therapeutic devices in respect to their manufacture, preparation, preservation, packaging processes and storage, followed by specific details for each. It also covers standards including things such as labelling, packaging, distribution and classification. Furthermore, the act details the methods by which it is administered and enforced, including the appointment of policing officers.

    For more information, please consult the Food and Drugs Act.

  • Food and Drugs Regulations

    The Food and Drugs Regulations are regulations respecting food and drugs in Canada. They outline the standards of composition, strength, potency, purity, quality or other property of food and drugs, which include, but are not limited to, alcoholic beverages, cocoa and chocolate products, spices and seasonings, dairy products, fats and oils, flavouring preparations, and fruits and vegetables. They also govern meat - its preparation and products - and the adulteration of food. Regulations are stated for the preparation and use of agricultural chemicals, veterinary drugs and food additives as well as food packaging materials. Furthermore, the regulations cover food irradiation, drug doses and establishment licences. They discuss vitamins, minerals and amino acids, giving recommended daily intakes, in addition to the classification and distribution of controlled and restricted drugs. Finally, good manufacturing practices are enumerated for Canadian businesses.

    For more information, please consult the Food and Drugs Regulations.