Labeling In Canada was quite clear a six months ago. In Canada, the rules for "Imported by" labels depend entirely on whether the product is a food item or a non-food consumer good. While it might feel like the company is hiding something, Canadian law actually allows for some ambiguity—though there are strict "traps" they must avoid. Here is the breakdown of how Canadian law (specifically the Consumer Packaging and Labelling Act and the Safe Food for Canadians Act) handles this. Click here.

Labeling  In Canada was quite clear a six months ago. In Canada, the rules for "Imported by/ Imported From" labels depend entirely on whether the product is a food item or a non-food consumer good. While it might feel like the company is hiding something, Canadian law actually allows for some ambiguity—though there are strict "traps" they must avoid.

Here is the breakdown of how Canadian law (specifically the Consumer Packaging and Labelling Act and the Safe Food for Canadians Act) handles this.

1. For Food Products (The Strict Rule)

If a food product is wholly manufactured or produced outside of Canada, the law is quite clear. If the label identifies a Canadian company (e.g., "Imported by/for [Company Name], Toronto, ON"), it must also state the country of origin.

Under Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) rules, this can be done in three ways:

 * The name and address of the foreign manufacturer.

 * The name and address of the Canadian company plus the country of origin (e.g., "Imported by Company X, Product of Italy").

 * The statement "Imported by" or "Imported for" followed by the Canadian company’s info—but for certain high-priority foods (like meat, dairy, fish, eggs, and fresh produce), the specific country of origin is always mandatory.

2. For Non-Food Products (The "Loophole")

For general consumer goods (electronics, toys, kitchenware), the Consumer Packaging and Labelling Act is slightly different.

 * The Dealer Identity: All products must show the "Dealer" (the person who sold or imported it).

 * The Origin Gap: Surprisingly, for many non-food consumer goods, the Act itself does not strictly require the "Made in [Country]" statement to be on the retail label unless the label is otherwise misleading.

However, the Customs Act (enforced by the CBSA) requires that roughly 68 categories of goods (including apparel, hardware, and appliances) be marked with their country of origin before they can even enter Canada. So, while the "Labelling Act" might be quiet, "Customs law" usually ensures the info is there somewhere—often as a tiny sticker or an engraving on the bottom of the item.

3. The "Bilingual Requirement" Trap

In Canada, if a product says "Imported by," it must be bilingual: "Importé par". If a company provides the origin, that must also be bilingual. If a company uses a Canadian address but leaves off the country of origin in a way that implies the product is Canadian, they can be charged with "False and Misleading Representations" under the Competition Act.

Summary Table: Is it Legal?

| Product Type | Can they omit the "Origin"? | Why? |

|---|---|---|

| Meat, Produce, Dairy | No | Specific safety and trade regulations require "Product of [Country]." |

| Prepackaged Foods | Rarely | If a Canadian address is used, the origin usually must be declared nearby. |

| Clothing / Textiles | No | The Textile Labelling Act requires the country of origin. |

| General Goods | Sometimes | The retail label might skip it, but Customs usually requires it to be stamped on the item itself. |

> Pro-Tip: If you see a Canadian address and no country of origin, look for a "CA" number. This is a five-digit identification number registered with the Competition Bureau. You can look up the "CA Number" in the Canadian Government’s database to see exactly which company registered that product.

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Would you like me to help you look up a specific "CA Number" or check the rules for a specific type of item?