Import & compliance
What Are the Rules for Organic Claims on Imported Food in Canada?
In Canada, the word 'organic' and the Canada Organic biologique Canada logo are legally protected for food sold across provincial or international borders — a product can only use them if it was certified under the Canada Organic Regime (COR) or produced under a country with a recognized equivalency arrangement with Canada. Products generally need to contain at least 95% organic content, by ingredient and excluding water and salt, to bear the federal organic claim or logo — anything with less has to be labelled differently, such as 'made with organic [ingredient].' Imported food is held to the same standard as domestic product: a supplier can't simply translate a foreign organic certification onto a Canadian label without it meeting COR requirements or falling under an equivalency arrangement.
This is general guidance, not legal advice — CFIA's Canada Organic Regime pages are the authoritative source for current certification and equivalency details.
The Canada Organic Regime, in plain terms
COR is the federal framework governing organic claims and the organic logo for food traded across provincial or international borders in Canada — it sets certification standards, accredits certification bodies, and defines what 'organic' can legally mean on a label (CFIA — Canada Organic Regime). A product certified under COR, or under a foreign system Canada recognizes as equivalent, can carry the organic claim and logo; one that isn't certified under either route can't, no matter how the growing or production practices are actually described informally.
Equivalency arrangements: how foreign-certified organic product qualifies
Canada has established equivalency arrangements with a number of other countries' organic certification systems, meaning a product certified organic under one of those systems can be recognized as meeting Canada's organic standard without a fully separate Canadian certification process. Which countries and certification bodies qualify, and under what conditions, is spelled out in CFIA's own COR guidance and can change over time, so it's worth confirming current equivalency status directly rather than assuming a foreign organic label automatically carries over.
Why this matters for a wholesale buyer, not just a producer
A retailer or foodservice buyer sourcing herbs, spices or other pantry goods marketed as organic should expect a supplier to point to a real COR certification or a valid equivalency arrangement behind that claim, not just a foreign package that says 'organic' in another market's language. None of the products in Levant Direct's current herb and tea or spice range carry an organic certification claim, and none is marketed as organic — a straightforward, honest starting point for any buyer comparing claims across suppliers.
That distinction matters at the shelf level too: a retailer that mislabels a non-certified product as organic, even in good faith after trusting an overseas supplier's own marketing, is the one exposed if the claim doesn't hold up under CFIA scrutiny. Asking a supplier directly for certification documentation before repeating an organic claim on a menu, shelf tag or online listing is a reasonable, low-effort check worth building into any new supplier relationship.
Related questions
Can a supplier just translate a foreign organic label onto Canadian packaging?
No — the claim needs to be backed by Canada Organic Regime certification or a recognized equivalency arrangement, not simply carried over from the original market's labelling.
What percentage of a product needs to be organic to use the logo?
Generally at least 95% organic content by ingredient, excluding water and salt — products with less organic content use different wording, such as 'made with organic X,' rather than the full organic claim.
Is this legal advice?
No. This is general regulatory guidance, not legal advice — confirm current certification and equivalency rules directly with CFIA.