The following is provided by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA).
The test market authorization (TMA) issued for Canada No. 1 round-type potatoes under the now repealed Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Regulations will expire on September 22, 2025. 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 Canada No. 1 round-type potatoes beyond September 21, 2025.
However, the CFIA acknowledges that the pause to the phased approach to fresh fruit and vegetable (FFV) grade modernization has delayed formalizing the Canada No. 1 round-type potato grade requirements outlined in the original TMA (2018). To prevent a disruption in the trade of Canada No. 1 round-type potatoes 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 Canada No. 1 round-type potatoes that are graded and sold in existing packaging when the TMA expires.
Once a new strategy for FFV grade modernization is implemented, industry’s request to add a new Canada No. 1 round-type potato grade requirement to the Canadian Grade Compendium: Volume 2 – Fresh Fruit or Vegetables will be prioritized.
The FFV grade modernization consultation launched on CFIA’s Consultation and engagement page on July 22, 2024 and it is open for comments until October 20, 2024.
Questions or concerns can be sent to cfia.labellingconsultation-etiquetage.acia@inspection.gc.ca.