The authority to maintain fresh fruit and vegetable grade standards (other than onions, potatoes and apples) has been transferred from the CFIA to the Fruit and Vegetable Dispute Resolution Corporation.
On October 8, 2025, the Government of Canada published the Regulations Amending the Safe Food for Canadians Regulations (Reducing Red Tape and Supporting Resilience – Import Reference Document, Hatcheries, and Fresh Fruits and Vegetables) in the Canada Gazette, Part II.
For fresh fruits and vegetables, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) made these changes to the Safe Food for Canadians Regulations:
- removed overly prescriptive labelling requirements
- removed mandatory grading requirements for produce destined for manufacturing, processing or preserving
- transferred responsibility of certain grade requirements to the Fruit and Vegetable Dispute Resolution Corporation
- updated grade requirements.
An overview of changes is available to help stakeholders navigate the changes.
According to DRC President & CEO, Luc Mougeot, “the regulatory change related to fresh fruit and vegetable grade standards means these standards can be changed more quickly to meet the needs of the industry. This will encourage innovation, flexibility and competitiveness for the sector. Industry has encouraged and supported this change for some time and DRC welcomes the change and the opportunity to take on responsibility for maintaining certain grade standards.”
For additional information, refer to CFIA’s overview of changes, or contact us at info@fvdrc.com.
Media Contact
Nicole MacDonald
Communications and Marketing Specialist
Fruit and Vegetable Dispute Resolution Corporation (DRC)
nmacdonald@fvdrc.com
+1 613-234-0982
www.fvdrc.com
About DRC
The Fruit and Vegetable Dispute Resolution Corporation (DRC) is a not-for-profit, membership-based organization dedicated to fostering fair and ethical trading in the global fresh produce industry. Offering harmonized standards, consultation, mediation, and arbitration services worldwide, the DRC provides efficient, cost-effective dispute resolution. By collaborating with industry and government partners, the DRC promotes equitable standards and practices for all members, enabling them to trade with confidence.
