When it comes to organics and its regulations, Canadians can rely on the Canada Organic Regime (COR) and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) to ensure that organic claims are genuine. At Westpoint Natural, we take pride in providing our customers with high-quality organic products that meet these stringent regulations. In this blog post, we will explore how organic regulations work in Canada, understand our product labeling, learn how to read a nutritional panel, and discover why we choose products with simple ingredients. Additionally, we will dive into our sourcing practices to ensure that our customers can trust the origins of our organic products.

1. Organics Regulations in Canada:

The CFIA is the governing body responsible for overseeing the Canada Organic Regime (COR) and ensuring that organic products meet the required standards. Verification bodies, accredited by the CFIA, assess the practices of food commodities to verify compliance with the Safe Food for Canadians Regulations (SFCR) and CFIA. For imports and exports, equivalency standards are established to maintain consistency. This means that products imported from other countries, such as the United States, must meet Canada’s organic standards to be sold as organic within the country. Products are also tested for pesticides, and there is a list of permitted substances for organic production (you can check it out here).

2. Product Labeling in Canada for Organics:

To be labeled as “organic” in Canada, products must contain at least 95% organic content. These products can display the organic logo and may include the statement “Certified Organic by (organic certifying body)” on their labels. This labeling system provides assurance to consumers that the product has undergone rigorous verification and meets the established organic standards. At Westpoint, we colour-coordinate our products. Shown above as an example only, the green represents organic, and the red are conventional.

3. Understanding Nutritional Panels:

Nutritional panels provide valuable information about a product’s serving size, calorie content, and the presence of 13 core nutrients. Additionally, the percentage daily value allows consumers to understand the nutrient composition relative to the recommended daily intake. Health Canada sets the highest recommended intake for 2 years of age, and this information enables consumers to compare products and make informed dietary choices.

4. Choosing Products with Simple Ingredients:

At Westpoint Natural, we prioritize offering products with simple ingredients. We believe that clean and health-conscious options are key to promoting overall well-being. By selecting products with fewer ingredients and recognizable names, we provide our customers with a greater sense of transparency and confidence in the quality of the food they consume.

5. Our Sourcing Practices:

When it comes to sourcing our products, we focus on selecting items with little to no preservatives and from reputable countries of origin. This commitment ensures that our customers receive organic products that align with their health-conscious lifestyles. By partnering with trusted suppliers and conducting thorough evaluations of each product’s origin, we can guarantee the integrity of our offerings.

Organic regulations in Canada, overseen by the CFIA through the Canada Organic Regime, play a crucial role in ensuring that organic products meet stringent standards. At Westpoint Natural, we adhere to these regulations to provide our customers with high-quality organic options they can trust. By understanding product labeling, reading nutritional panels, and opting for products with simple ingredients, consumers can make informed choices about the food they consume. Our commitment to sourcing products with minimal preservatives and reputable origins reflects our dedication to offering organic products that meet our customers’ expectations.

For more on organics, check out our blog: Why Organic? & Sustainability section of our website.