Effective date: September 9, 2025 (1st Revision)
Canadian wild rice (Zizania palustris L. and Z. aquatica L.) intended for export to China must be processed, stored and exported by Canadian companies that are approved under the Wild Rice Export Program administered by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency. This directive describes the:
- process for Canadian companies to apply for approval under this program, and
- specific requirements that must be met for the processing, storage and exportation of Canadian wild rice in order to meet the requirements of China.
Latest revisions
This directive has been renamed and revised to reflect changes in terminology to support the integration of the Wild Rice Export Program into the CFIA's digital platform. No changes have been made to the requirements of the program.
This directive supersedes D-15-04 (original version).
On this page
- Introduction
- Scope
- Definitions, abbreviations and acronyms
- 1. General requirements
- 2. Program requirements
- 3. Responsibilities
- 4. Non-compliance
- Appendix 1: Terms and conditions
- Appendix 2: CFIA audit checklist
- Appendix 3: Example of a lot treatment certificate
- Appendix 4: Example of an export certificate
Introduction
In September 2015, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) and the General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine (AQSIQ) of the People's Republic of China signed the Protocol on the Inspection and Quarantine Requirements for Exporting Wild Rice from Canada to China (referred to as the Protocol hereinafter). The protocol provides new market access for Canadian wild rice (Zizania palustris L. and Z. aquatica L.) to China.
In order to facilitate exports and comply with the requirements listed in the protocol, the CFIA has developed an audit-based, program. Any company that is processing, storing or exporting Canadian Wild rice to China must be registered with the CFIA. Registration and approval in this program will verify that:
- the origin of the wild rice exported to China is Canadian;
- companies processing, storing and exporting wild rice comply with the requirements of section 2.3 of this directive, and
- each wild rice shipment to China is accompanied by an export certificate issued by the exporter, which attests to the origin (processing and storage facility) of the wild rice and the processing conditions (temperature and moisture content)
Scope
The information in this directive is intended for use by CFIA staff appointed as inspectors under the Plant Protection Act, and companies intending to process, store, and export Canadian wild rice to China.
Definitions, abbreviations and acronyms
Definitions for terms used in the present document can be found in the Plant Health Glossary of Terms.
1. General requirements
1.1 Legislative authority
Canadian Food Inspection Agency Act
Plant Protection Act
Plant Protection Regulations
Canadian Food Inspection Agency Fees Notice
1.2 Fees
The CFIA is charging fees in accordance with the Canadian Food Inspection Agency Fees Notice. Anyone requiring other information regarding fees may contact any local CFIA office or visit the CFIA Fees Notice web page.
1.3 Regulated commodities
Wild rice grain (Zizania palustris L. and Z. aquatica L.) produced in Canada and intended for export to China.
1.4 Regulated areas
All areas of Canada.
2. Program requirements
2.1 Application requirements
Canadian companies intending to process, store or export Canadian wild rice to China must apply to participate in this program by submitting a new service request through their My CFIA account along with their preventive control plan.
My CFIA uses the term "preventive control inspection" in place of "audit" and "terms and conditions" in place of "requirements".
2.2 CFIA inspection requirements
The CFIA will conduct:
- review of the application and supporting documentation, and authorization audits of each company prior to their approval in order to evaluate the preventive control plan used in the processing, storage, and exporting of Canadian wild rice to China.
- annual systems audits of approved companies to verify compliance with the program.
The CFIA retains the option to visit the company at any time to sample wild rice for visual inspection, to review records and to verify compliance.
2.3 Company requirements
The program requirements outlined in appendix 2:
- provide the list of relevant requirements that companies intending to process, store and export wild rice to China must meet in order to be approved under the program
- can be used as an outline by companies to develop their written preventive control plan, which must be submitted with their application in their My CFIA account as supporting documentation for approval under this program
All companies must cooperate with the CFIA during audits and allow us access to records so that program compliance can be verified.
Processing and storing wild rice
All companies approved to process and store wild rice in Canada under this program must be able to demonstrate to the satisfaction of an inspector that:
- pest monitoring traps for insect pests have been installed and are being maintained regularly. These traps must be monitored, with data collected and compiled for auditing/reporting purposes by the CFIA.
- measures have been implemented to prevent wild rice from mildewing or being mixed with soil particles, plant residues, or weed seeds, or being comingled or contaminated with other grains or impurities.
Processing wild rice
All companies processing wild rice in Canada under this program must be able to demonstrate to the satisfaction of an inspector that:
- the wild rice has undergone heat treatment at a temperature between 150-350°C (302-662°F) for approximately 2 hours and that a moisture content of 5% to 8% has been achieved.
- the lot treatment certificates (appendix 3) will be issued, which attests that a specific lot of wild rice has been processed to meet the temperature, moisture and viability requirements stated in the protocol.
- records of all lot treatment certificates issued will be retained for a minimum of two years and made available to the CFIA during the systems audit or when requested.
- the processed wild rice is being stored under hygienic conditions and in new, spill-proof packaging
- twice per year at approximately 6-month intervals, sampling of wild rice is initiated, and subsequent testing is completed at a CFIA-accredited lab to verify non-viability using established standard methods (for example, germination or tetrazolium test)
- their use of an internal tracking system(s) allows the origin of all wild rice in storage that is intended for export to China, to be traced back to the grower / supplier confirming that it was produced in Canada
Storing wild rice
Companies storing wild rice in Canada under this program must be able to demonstrate to the satisfaction of an inspector that:
- their use of an internal tracking system(s) allows the origin of all wild rice in storage that is intended for export to China to be traced back to an approved wild rice processing facility, and
- the processed wild rice is stored under hygienic conditions and in new, spill-proof packaging
Exporting wild rice
Companies exporting wild rice under this program must be able to demonstrate to the satisfaction of an inspector that:
- the wild rice that is to be exported to China is procured only from companies approved under this program;
- the internal tracking system(s) allows for an exported shipment to be traced back to the approved wild rice processing where it was processed and the storage facility where it was stored if applicable;
- export certificates (appendix 4) are being properly completed for each lot of wild rice exported to China and are based on corresponding lot treatment certificates that have been obtained from approved processors;
- copies of all export certificates issued will be retained for a minimum of two years and made available to the CFIA during the annual systems audit or when requested;
- the wild rice packages are labelled as per the program requirements (appendix 2).
2.4 Approval of facilities
Once a company intending to process, store or export wild rice to China has been audited by the CFIA and has been assessed as meeting the requirements of sections 2.3, a confirmation of registration will be issued and delivered to the My CFIA account.
Within this document, a unique identification number will be assigned to the company (CFIA-WRC-XX). The approved company (processor, storage warehouse, or exporter) name and address and the CFIA-issued unique identification number will be shared with AQSIQ. Approved companies will be identified as "approved for export" and listed on AQSIQ's website.
3. Responsibilities
3.1 CFIA responsibilities
The inspector is responsible for:
- evaluating and approving the application package submitted by the company including the written preventive control plan, applicable templates of forms, records, and more
- completing the initial on-site authorization audit of a company to verify that the preventive control plan is being implemented and that there is overall compliance with the requirements of the program
- completing systems audits of each approved company to confirm they are continuing to comply with the requirements of the export program. The CFIA will request and review written records maintained by companies during the annual systems audits or when required
- issuing a confirmation of registration and assigning a unique identification number once the registration is approved
- sharing pest trap monitoring data with the CFIA-Grains and Oilseed Section in Ottawa when requested, to be further shared with AQSIQ
The CFIA will inform AQSIQ when wild rice processing, storage and exporting companies are approved or removed from this program so that their list is up to date.
3.2 Company's responsibilities
The company is responsible for:
- completing and submitting the initial application in their My CFIA account for approval as well as supporting
- providing full co-operation to CFIA inspection staff during audits, including providing access to all requested records
- following the company requirements as outlined in section 2.3, as well as adhering to their preventive control plan in the areas of heat treatment, pest management and product purity / integrity
- issuing the required documentation (example: lot treatment certificates and export certificates) as per established requirements
- ensuring export package labelling requirements are met
- retaining documents and records as per the program requirements for the established 2 year period
4. Non-compliance
The CFIA may suspend or revoke a company's registration at any time upon finding a critical non-compliance with the requirements specified in this directive. A critical non-compliance is defined as any non-compliance that would compromise the integrity of this program. Companies with their status suspended or revoked may not process, store or export wild rice destined to China.
The CFIA will immediately notify AQSIQ of any facilities that have had their registration revoked.
A company's registration may be suspended or revoked when a notice of non-compliance is received from China and identifies a non-compliance with a specific requirement under this directive.
The company needs to explain and demonstrate to the satisfaction of CFIA, that the corrective action(s) taken adequately address the non-compliance, prior to a suspension being lifted. If a facility's status has been revoked, they will be required to submit a new service request following the completion of the corrective actions in order to initiate a new registration for their facility.
Appendix 1: Terms and conditions
Registration and approval in this program certifies that the Canadian wild rice will be processed, stored and exported by companies who have been approved by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) under this program.
- Allow the CFIA to conduct audits of the company as required to verify compliance under this program
- Maintain records for 2 years, including the origin of the wild rice that is intended for export to China
- Maintain a current written preventive control plan describing the process that will be used to ensure that the wild rice is rendered non-viable (applicable to processors)
- Maintain a current written preventive control plan describing pest management practices, and management practices that ensure the wild rice does not become contaminated with soil, weed seeds, plant material, etc. during processing and is stored as per section 2.3 (applicable to processors and warehouses)
- Maintain and monitor pest traps, with data collected and compiled for auditing/reporting purposes by the CFIA
- Include with all shipments of wild rice an export certificate containing the information summarized in section 3.2 and appendix 4 of this program (applicable to exporters)
Appendix 2: CFIA audit checklist
| Requirement | Requirement fulfilled (completed by company) |
Assessed as compliant by the CFIA (yes/no) | CFIA Comment | CAR# |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Written preventive control plan on wild rice processing steps (processor) | ||||
| Pest management procedures (processor and warehouse) | ||||
| Wild rice purity management procedures (processor and warehouse) | ||||
| Examples of developed forms: lot treatment certificate (processors), export certificate (exporters) | ||||
| Certificate of analysis documenting non-viability of processed wild rice is supplied (processors) |
| Requirement | Requirement fulfilled (completed by company) |
Assessed as compliant by the CFIA (yes/no) | CFIA Comments | CAR# |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| i) There is functioning instrumentation to measure temperature during the parching processing | ||||
| ii) Temperature readings are being recorded (electronically or manually) |
||||
| iii) Atemperature between 150-350°C (302-662°F) is being maintained for the required duration (see below) | ||||
| iv) Duration (approximately 2 hours) of heat treatment at 150-350°C is being achieved and recorded | ||||
|
v) As validation that the processing steps are effective in devitalizing the wild rice, the processor has analysis results from an accredited lab within the last 6 months showing that the seed is non-viable or has 0% germination In subsequent years following approval, a processor must have a minimum of 2 analysis (once every 6months) completed, which will be verified at the time of annual CFIA audits. |
| Requirement | Requirement fulfilled (completed by company) |
Assessed as compliant by the CFIA (yes/no) | CFIA Comments | CAR# |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| i) There is functioning equipment to measure moisture levels in processed wild rice | ||||
| ii) Moisture content of wild rice lots is being measured following the processing of lots | ||||
| iii) Moisture levels are being recorded as per the procedure outlined in the company's preventive control plan | ||||
| iv) Moisture level of wild rice lots processed for export to China is documented at 5% to 8% |
| Requirement | Requirement fulfilled (completed by company) |
Assessed as compliant by the CFIA (yes/no) | CFIA Comments | CAR# |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| i) Lot treatment certificates are being prepared and issued for lots being exported to China as per operating procedures | ||||
| ii) Copies of lot treatment certificates issued are being kept on file | ||||
| iii) Records are maintained that document that the wild rice is received from Canadian producers and is of Canadian origin |
| Requirement | Requirement fulfilled (completed by company) |
Assessed as compliant by the CFIA (yes/no) | CFIA Comments | CAR# |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| i) Written preventive control plan with pest management procedures is on file | ||||
| ii) Pest management procedures are detailed in the preventive control plan covering stored grain insects, rodents and birds | ||||
|
iii) Types of traps and distribution within the facility are detailed in the plan Examples: pitfall traps for stored grain insect monitoring, rodent traps, etc. |
||||
| iv) The monitoring / reporting schedule for pest trap monitoring is included as part of the preventive control plan (example: monthly) | ||||
| v) A template of a pest reporting form is developed, which will be completed as per the monitoring frequency established by the company. (the template must include information on the monitoring date, trap results, pests identified, corrective action taken). The report will be maintained on file and made available to CFIA upon request | ||||
| vi) A written preventive control plan has procedures to prevent the mixing or contamination of processed wild rice with other grains, husks, stems, branches, leaves, weed seeds, and soil particles is on file |
| Requirement | Requirement fulfilled (completed by company) |
Assessed as compliant by the CFIA (yes/no) | CFIA Comments | CAR# |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| i) The company has previously provided an example of their export label (tag, label, stencil) as part of their application submission | ||||
ii) The company is labelling wild rice shipments as per their written procedures and includes the following information:
|
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| iii) Records are maintained of all wild rice lots / shipments labelled to meet Chinese import requirements | ||||
| iv) Packaging used is new and clean and free of contamination with pests or harmful substances |
| Requirement | Requirement fulfilled (completed by company) |
Assessed as compliant by the CFIA (yes/no) | CFIA Comments | CAR# |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| i) Exporter is obtaining lot treatment certificates from the processor prior to issuing export certificate | ||||
| ii) Export certificates issued correspond to lot treatment certificates (shipment identification number) and are received and retained on file | ||||
|
iii) Exporter understands requirement to issue export certificate as per the copy provided with their original application submission, which include the following information:
Treatment details:
|
||||
| iv) Export certificates being issued follow format of certificate templates submitted in application package | ||||
| v) Export certificates (copies) will or are being maintained in a file that this available for review by the CFIA and are completed correctly |
Appendix 3: Example of a lot treatment certificate
Lot treatment certificates must be completed by approved processors.
The following information fields and attestation below must appear on the certificate:
- Mandatory title that must be used on certificates:
Lot Treatment Certificate
- Processing company name:
- Processing company address:
- CFIA registration number assigned to the processing company: (CFIA-WRC-XX)
- Shipment identification number [Lot Number(s)]:
- This certificate attests that the wild rice in this consignment was grown in Canada and manufactured under the following treatment conditions:
- Temperature:
- Duration of heat treatment at the above temperature:
- Moisture content of the product following heat treatment:
- Name of the processing company representative:
- Signature of the processing company representative:
- Date:
Appendix 4: Example of an export certificate
Export certificates must be issued by an approved exporter.
The following information fields and attestation below must appear on the certificate:
- Mandatory title that must be used on all certificates:
Export Certificate Under Protocol Between the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) and the General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine (AQSIQ) of the People's Republic of China for Wild Rice Exports to China
- Exporter name:
- Shipment identification number:
- CFIA exporter unique identification number: CFIA - WRC- XX
- This certificate attests that the wild rice in this consignment was manufactured according to the following treatment details:
- Processing company's CFIA registration number: CFIA-WRC-XX
- Temperature:
- Duration:
- Moisture content:
- Name of the CFIA approved exporter:
- Signature of the CFIA approved exporter:
- Date: