The test market authorization (TMA) issued for nectarines under the now repealed Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Regulations will expire on July 22, 2024. The Safe Food for Canadians Regulations sets criteria for the issuance of a TMA (Notice to industry – New Test Market Authorization process) and as a result, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) cannot extend the current TMA for nectarines.
However, the CFIA acknowledges that the pause to the phased approach to fresh fruit and vegetable (FFV) grade modernization has delayed formalizing the nectarine grade requirements outlined in the original TMA (2010) as a new stand-alone grade. To prevent a disruption in the domestic trade of nectarines and considering the ongoing work to select a new approach for developing and maintaining Canadian FFV grade standards, the CFIA will apply a low-priority inspection approach to nectarines that are graded and sold in existing packaging.
Once a new strategy for FFV grade modernization is implemented, industry’s request to add a new nectarine grade to the Canadian Grade Compendium: Volume 2 – Fresh Fruit or Vegetables will be prioritized.
The FFV grade modernization consultation will launch soon on CFIA’s Consultation and engagement page.
Questions or concerns can be sent to cfia.labellingconsultation-etiquetage.acia@inspection.gc.ca.