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QSS supports pet food companies in meeting CFIA and Health Canada requirements for ingredients, labelling, and import. If you're launching in Canada for the first time or need to bring an existing product into compliance, we can tell you exactly what's required and get you there.
Pet food sold in Canada, covering products for dogs, cats, birds, small animals, and reptiles, is regulated under the Consumer Packaging and Labelling Act (CPLA), which sets bilingual labelling and packaging requirements, and the Food and Drugs Act, which applies where safety and composition standards are relevant. The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) oversees compliance and enforcement across both frameworks.
There is no pre-market approval requirement for pet food sold domestically in Canada, but products must meet all applicable labelling, ingredient, and compositional requirements before they reach the market. Imports are subject to CFIA inspection at the border, and products making health-support claims for animals may trigger additional requirements under Health Canada's Veterinary Health Product (VHP) program.
For international brands entering the Canadian market, these requirements add a layer of complexity that is easy to get overlooked. QSS helps you determine which regulatory requirements apply to your specific product, resolve ingredient and labelling issues before they become import problems, and maintain compliance with CFIA on an ongoing basis.
We review your product formulation against Canadian requirements for pet food, identifies any ingredients that may raise regulatory and compliance concerns, and advises on how to address them before you go to market.
QSS reviews and provides recommendations to your labels to ensure they meet Canadian requirements for ingredient listing, guaranteed analysis, and bilingual English and French formatting under the CPLA.
QSS assesses whether your product is regulated as a pet food, a veterinary health product, or falls into another category, to help ensure the correct regulatory pathway from the start.
QSS helps international brands prepare for CFIA import inspection, reviews documentation requirements, and addresses any issues that could affect entry into the Canadian market.
For companies located outside of Canada, QSS can act as your official Canadian representative, supporting ongoing communication and compliance with CFIA on your behalf.
Explore articles, blogs, and videos on pet food regulations, CFIA compliance, and labelling requirements in Canada.
Yes. Pet treats are subject to the same labelling and compositional standards as complete diets under Canadian regulations. These requirements generally apply regardless of product format or presentation. However, regulatory considerations may vary depending on the product’s intended use, formulation, ingredients, and claims.
Ingredient compliance for pet food in Canada is assessed against the Food and Drugs Act and applicable CFIA guidelines. QSS reviews your formulation, identifies ingredient or formulation elements that may require further assessment, and provides guidance on addressing potential issues before market launch.
Yes. All consumer prepackaged pet food sold in Canada must carry mandatory label information in both English and French, including the product name, ingredient list, guaranteed analysis, directions, and any required warnings.
You can, but imports are subject to CFIA inspection and must meet all labelling and ingredient requirements before arriving at the border. Many foreign manufacturers appoint a Canadian representative to manage ongoing compliance. QSS can fill that role.
There is no general pre-market approval requirement for pet food sold domestically, but products must meet all applicable ingredient, compositional, and labelling requirements before going to market. Imports are subject to CFIA inspection. QSS assesses your product and provides guidance on the requirements needed to bring it to market.
Pet food, covering products for dogs, cats, birds, small animals, and reptiles, is regulated under the Consumer Packaging and Labelling Act and the Food and Drugs Act, with CFIA overseeing compliance. Livestock and poultry feed is governed by a separate framework under the Feeds Act and Feeds Regulations, which set distinct standards for ingredient eligibility and approval. If you are unsure which framework applies to your product, QSS can assess it and point you in the right direction.
Products that make health-support claims for animals may fall under Health Canada’s Veterinary Health Product (VHP) program. Classification depends on the product’s intended use, ingredients, and the nature of the claims. QSS assesses your product and directs you to the correct regulatory pathway.
Most label reviews are completed within 7 to 10 business days, depending on product complexity and formatting needs.