Container Sizes

OTTAWA, November 22, 2012: The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) is proposing to eliminate current restrictions that limit the size of containers for certain foods. These restrictions provide no food safety benefit. Proposed changes would enhance consumer choice and provide greater consistency across the food industry as the vast majority of food products have no container and packaging size requirements.

Over the past several months, the CFIA undertook discussions with industry on the decision to remove container size restrictions. Certain sectors identified their readiness to move forward with proposed changes in the immediate to medium term. Other groups, such as the processing sector, noted that additional time would be needed to adapt.

To validate this feedback, the CFIA plans to launch a formal consultation in 2013 as part of the standard regulatory amendment process. Proposed changes, which will include a flexible implementation time frame of up to five years, as well as a detailed assessment of potential impacts, will be posted on the Canada Gazette website. 

Until the regulatory process concludes, the current regulations will remain in force. CFIA compliance and enforcement activities will continue. In addition, Ministerial Exemptions and Test Market Authorizations related to container sizes will continue to be administered.

The proposed removal of these restrictions will give consumers greater selection and allow industry to take full advantage of new packaging innovation, formats and technologies. As they can do now, consumers will continue to be able to compare prices and the CFIA will continue to enforce specific Canadian labelling requirements, such as bilingualism and weight.

Canada has a strong reputation for high-quality, safe food products, and for producing products that buyers want, here and around the world.  Increased consumer demand, new product development, and expanding international trade provide additional opportunities for the sector. The CFIA will continue to work with industry to help them remain competitive and innovative.