The Decibel The trouble with enforcing Canadian food labels
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Mar 24, 2026 Kate Helmore, Globe and Mail reporter on agriculture and food manufacturing, and Susan Krashinsky Robertson, Globe retailing reporter expert on grocers and shelf strategy, discuss Canadian origin labels, the 98% rule and gray zones in labeling. They talk about the surge in origin complaints, how retailers handle shelf space and promotion, and the debate over fines versus encouraging Canadian products.
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What Made In Canada Versus Product Of Canada Means
- Canadian origin labels have two strict legal thresholds: Product of Canada (98% Canadian content) and Made in Canada (substantial transformation).
- Susan Krashinsky Robertson illustrated with a lemon loaf: 98% ingredients = Product of Canada; baked/processed here = Made in Canada.
Buy Canadian Spike Turned Origin Labels Into Valuable Real Estate
- Buy Canadian surged after U.S. trade threats and tariffs, making origin labels valuable to patriotic shoppers and retailers alike.
- Susan Krashinsky Robertson said retailers created displays and signage and some consumers paid premiums expecting domestic support.
Small Soup Maker Expanded After Retailers Sought Canadian Supply
- A small Ontario soup maker saw demand boom after retailers sought Canadian suppliers, prompting a half‑million dollar plant expansion.
- Kate Helmore used this firm to show how shelf wins cascade into sourcing more Canadian ingredients for farmers.