On this page
- Eligible/ineligible product
- Pre-export approvals by the competent authority of the importing country
- Product specifications
- Production controls and inspection requirements
- Labelling, packaging and marking requirements
- Required documents
- Other information
1. Eligible/ineligible product
1.1 Eligible
Food preparations, even canned, that contain in their composition one or more ingredients of animal origin (meat, poultry, dairy ingredients, honey products, egg products and hydrolyzed proteins). It is recommended that you work with your importer in order to obtain more specificities regarding eligible products.
1.2 Ineligible
No information is known regarding ineligible products.
2. Pre-export approvals by the competent authority of the importing country
2.1 Country
Canada is authorized to export composite products.
2.2 Establishments
No information is known regarding approved establishments.
The manufacturing of the composite products must be under the official oversight of the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) and be licensed under the Safe Food for Canadian Regulations (SFCR).
2.3 Products
No information known regarding products registration.
2.4 Import permit
An import permit may be required. Exporter should work with the importer to verify this condition.
3. Product specifications
No information is known regarding product specifications. Microbiological requirements and maximum residue limits in Mexico may differ from those in Canada. Failure to comply with these standards could result in a shipment being rejected at the border control port.
4. Production controls and inspection requirements
The manufacturer must be aware of the standards and requirements of the importing country. An export control plan must be in place to demonstrate that your products meet the requirements of the importing country.
A recent version of the Requisitos Zoosanitarios Para Importación (RZPI) must be presented to the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) prior to certification. This document can be found on the Servicio Nacional de Sanidad, Inocuidad y Calidad Agroalimentaria (SENASICA) import requirements query module: Módulo de consulta de requisitos para la importación de mercancías zoosanitarias (Spanish only).
The RZPI currently available for CPs is: 098-13-241-CAN-CAN (Preparaciones alimenticias).
Manufacturer's declaration
To obtain an export certificate, some information related to public health and animal health will have to be provided by the applicant. This information should be provided in the form of a manufacturer's declaration when applying for the export certificate. For more details, please communicate with your local CFIA office.
- For CPs containing dairy ingredients:
- The dairy ingredients must originate from Canada, or it has been legally imported from a country free from Foot and mouth disease.
- Provide necessary supporting documentation from competent authority for imported dairy ingredients.
- For CPs containing processed egg:
- Provide CFIA with supporting documentation regarding heat treatment of product.
- Provide necessary supporting documentation from competent authority for imported processed eggs.
- For CPs containing honey:
- Honey ingredient processed in establishment under official control.
- Provide necessary supporting documentation from competent authority for imported honey.
- For CPs containing hydrolyzed protein derived from bovine species:
- Provide supporting documentation stating that hydrolyzed protein was derived exclusively from bovine hides, and that bovine originated from location free from FMD or that hydrolyzed protein was subjected to one of the heat/chemical treatment processes as defined on the certificate/RZPI.
Note: the inspector reserves the right to request any other information that he thinks is necessary for the final certification of the product.
Certification requirements
The health certificate CFIA/ACIA TS.MX.CP contains animal health and public health requirements.
Imported ingredients
The use of imported ingredients of animal origin may limit the ability to export to Mexico.
5. Labelling, packaging and marking requirements
It is the exporter's responsibility to meet all the requirements for labelling, packaging and marking as per the importing country.
6. Required documents
Canada does have a negotiated certificate with Mexico. Requests for any additional statements must be confirmed by CFIA's Food Import Export Division (FIED).
The certificate below covers only composite products containing dairy products, egg products, honey or hydrolyzed proteins (gelatin and/or collagen). If your CP contains a meat product, an additional certification could be required.
As a manufacturer/exporter and in order to facilitate the certification process, it is important that you are familiar with the conditions stipulated in the RZPI.
Certificate
- Health certificate for export of composite products for human consumption from Canada to Mexico CFIA/ACIA TS.MX.CP.
Notes:
- The health certificate is signed by the CFIA official veterinarian and official inspector.
- Export certificates cannot be issued after the products have left Canada.
7. Other information
The operator/exporter is responsible for requesting the appropriate certificate from the CFIA inspector. Any discrepancy between a RZPI certification requirements and the approved CFIA certificate for the product intended for export should be brought to the attention of the inspector.
The operator/exporter bears full responsibility to ensure that the certification provided by the CFIA is in compliance with the certification requirements appearing on the applicable RZPIs.
Exported products transiting through a country may require transit documentation. It is the responsibility of the exporter to ensure that the shipment will be accompanied by all necessary certificates. Please work closely with your importer.
Samples (personal or commercial) may be subject to the same requirements as a regular shipment.
Products requiring refrigeration must be presented at an Import Verification and Inspection Point authorized by the General Directorate of Plant and Zoosanitary Inspection.
Relevant links
- More information on export requirements to Mexico can be obtained from the Módulo de consulta de requisitos para la importación de mercancías zoosanitarias (Spanish only) administered by SENASICA.
- Sistema de información de consulta de plantas autorizadas (Spanish only)
- World Organisation of Animal Health
- Reportable diseases: Terrestrial animals
- Safe Food for Canadians Licence Registry
- Guide for preparing an Export Control Plan (ECP)