Quality & documentation
Kitchenware for Canada
Canada regulates food-contact materials through a general safety rule rather than positive lists: packaging must not impart harmful substances to food. Pre-market review by Health Canada is voluntary, and a Letter of No Objection is an opinion, not an approval.
The framework
Health Canada points to section B.23.001 of the Food and Drug Regulations, "which prohibits the sale of foods in packages that may impart any substance to the contents which may be harmful to the consumer".
Packaging materials "may be submitted voluntarily to the Food Directorate (FD) for a premarket assessment". A favourable result is a Letter of No Objection, and Health Canada is explicit that "such letters do not constitute approvals in a legal sense and do not relieve the food sellers of their responsibilities under Section B.23.001".
What this means for kitchenware
- No expiry, but tied to the formula: "A letter of no objection has no expiry date. It is considered valid as long as the composition and intended use of the material remain as described in the original submission." A change of resin or colourant can take a material outside it.
- Buyers set the bar: because there is no mandatory approval, Canadian retailers often ask for supplier declarations backed by test evidence, sometimes to EU or US standards. Ask for their checklist.
- Labelling: Canadian consumer products commonly need bilingual English and French label content; confirm the requirements for your product and channel.
What to send us
- The product reference and sample version, or a drawing number and revision.
- Every component that touches food, with its material: stainless grade, polymer, silicone, wood, coating or decoration.
- The foods it will meet and the conditions: temperature, contact time, repeated or single use, dishwasher or hand wash.
- The country of sale and the sales channel, plus your buyer's document checklist if they have one.
- Whether the request covers the current configuration or a proposed change.
We prepare the brief with you and confirm which reports and declarations exist for the configuration, which need commissioning, and how long testing takes.
Keep documents connected
When materials, finishes, colours or use claims change, check whether earlier documents still cover the product, and connect the final report or declaration to the sample and specification version being ordered. See test reports and documents for how to read a report's scope.
Official guidance
Sources checked 21 September 2026. Requirements depend on the actual product and intended use.