Current status: Closed
This consultation ran from October 29, 2021 to December 31, 2023
At the request of the fresh fruit and vegetable (FFV) industry, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) consulted on proposals to modernize and harmonize existing grade requirements relating to the quality of FFV and to introduce new grade standards for certain commodities.
This consultation was conducted in phases, each phase open for 60 days, to solicit comments from stakeholders regarding proposed changes to the grades and requirements for FFV.
Existing grades and requirements are outlined in the Canadian Grade Compendium: Volume 2 – Fresh Fruit or Vegetables incorporated by reference into the Safe Food for Canadians Regulations (SFCR), administered and enforced by the CFIA. The proposed changes reflected the following market needs:
- changes in consumer demand and demographics
- developments in technology and innovation, including but not limited to plant and variety breeding
- improved and innovative production practices, storage and packing technologies
- harmonization of standards with international trading partners, and
- new grade standards where there are none existing and for which industry consensus has been achieved
In response to these market needs, the proposed changes included new size requirements, clarifications to terminology for defects and tolerances, and the introduction of new standards for certain commodities.
A phased approach
This consultation took place in phases based on the following considerations:
- phased work by the Fruit and Vegetable Dispute Resolution Corporation (DRC) to develop industry consensus on proposed changes to grades and requirements prior to submitting these to the CFIA
- CFIA's need to conduct an in-depth analysis of the proposed changes, develop consultation materials, and respond to questions, comments and raised issues, and
- stakeholder readiness to implement changes to grades and requirements
Each phase focused on a group of commodities and was open for a two-month consultation period.
- Phase 1: proposed changes to grades and requirements for greenhouse cucumbers and greenhouse tomatoes, including a new standard for greenhouse mini cucumbers: ran from October 29 to December 31, 2021 Closed
- Phase 2: proposed changes to grades and requirements for apples, apricots, asparagus, grapes, peaches, pears, plums and prunes and introduce new grades and requirements for nectarines: ran from December 10, 2021 to February 11, 2022 Closed
- Phases 3 to 5 will not proceed as planned. Instead, the CFIA will be consulting on a new approach to FFV grade modernization in 2024.
Who was the focus of this consultation
The CFIA engaged with:
- producers and packers
- individuals, businesses and organizations involved in the domestic and international supply of FFV
- consumers and interested public parties
- other government departments/agencies, including provincial/territorial and municipal
- trading partners
Key themes for discussion
- current market and consumer needs
- harmonizing Canadian requirements with those of our trading partners
- potential effects on your business decisions and activities, such as human and financial resources and label changes
Sign-up for email notifications
To receive a notice about the launch of the consultation on a new approach to FFV grade modernization, sign-up for email notifications and select Fresh Fruit and Vegetables. A message will be sent to you with updates on the next phase of this consultation.
What we heard
Contact us
Send questions, concerns or comments to cfia.labellingconsultation-etiquetage.acia@inspection.gc.ca.