"Canadians have been clear that they want to support Canadian businesses and buy Canadian products, said the agency in an email. The CFIA will take the appropriate action to protect Canadians from misleading claims. Since the Buy Canadian movement ignited in February 2025 in response to U.S. President Donald Trump's trade war, many grocers have taken full advantage by using patriotic symbols and signage to spotlight domestic products."
"The agency told CBC it has hit a Loblaw-owned Fortinos in Toronto with a $10,000 fine for misrepresenting a foreign-made food. The CFIA says the Fortinos, located on Queens Plate Drive in Toronto, displayed President-brand Rondele specialty cheese spread with an 11-point maple leaf symbol on the shelf tag. However, the cheese is made in France. The product display created an impression that the product was made in Canada, said the CFIA."
"Back in September, CBC News reported that the CFIA had identified 27 violations in 2025 where grocers, mostly national chains, made erroneous country-of-origin claims. Even so, the agency hadn't issued any fines which didn't sit well with shoppers. But now, the CFIA's approach to enforcement has changed."
Following the Buy Canadian movement that began in February 2025, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency has intensified enforcement against grocery stores making false country-of-origin claims. The CFIA identified 27 violations in 2025 where retailers, primarily national chains, misrepresented foreign products as Canadian using patriotic symbols and signage. After initial inaction drew criticism, the agency shifted its approach and issued fines, including a $10,000 penalty to a Loblaw-owned Fortinos for displaying French-made cheese with a maple leaf symbol suggesting Canadian origin. The CFIA is also investigating Sobeys' labelling practices. Federal regulations require food labels and in-store signage to be accurate and not misleading to protect consumers seeking to support domestic products.
#buy-canadian-movement #food-labelling-enforcement #misleading-advertising #cfia-regulations #consumer-protection
Read at www.cbc.ca
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