Notice to Industry: New implementation date for new policy chapter on import of milk and milk products

June 28, 2021

The animal health import policy Milk and Regulated Milk Products (AIED-DIEA-IE-2001-4-7) was replaced by Chapter 10.4 and Annex 15.3 of the Terrestrial Animal Products and By-products: Import Policy Framework in December 2020.

During the month of July 2021, import conditions for foods and beverages with milk ingredients will be updated to reflect the new policy. Once these updates are published in the Automated Import Reference System, foods and beverages containing milk or milk products may be imported from any country provided that they are consumer prepackaged and may be stored at ambient temperature before opening. Foods and beverages containing milk that are imported in bulk or require refrigeration or freezing before opening may only be imported from countries approved by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency and zoosanitary certification will be required.

A transition period will be allowed until October 31, 2021 where the affected commodities may be imported using either the previous or the new import requirements.

Note that there will be no changes to import requirements for foods and beverages containing milk ingredients imported from the United States.

Contact apabpimport@inspection.gc.ca for further information.