Ontario Foodland 

Foodland Ontario: We are Evolving   
http://www.foodland.gov.on.ca/english/industry/ind-definitions.html

At Foodland Ontario we continue to support and promote fresh fruits and vegetables.  Additionally, we are working with our retail partners to move towards the promotion of other fresh Ontario food categories.  These categories include; meats, deli, bakery, dairy and specialty foods. 
Moving forward requires collaboration between all parts of the Ontario foods value chain, including; producers, processors and retailers.  As we continue to “forge ahead” Foodland Ontario’s merchandising team will be able to expand their efforts in concert with industry to address other merchandising opportunities in grocery stores and farmer’s markets!

Contact:
Officer, Client Services
Foodland Ontario
Business Development Branch
1 Stone Road West, 3rd Floor
Guelph, Ontario  N1G 4Y2
519.826.3947

"Ontario’s consumers wanted clear, concise definitions that provided detailed information about the origin of the products."

Definition - Ontario beef -  Ontario beef will be born, raised, slaughtered and further processed in an approved facility in Ontario. When there are not enough calves born in Ontario to meet the demand for beef, calves may be sourced from within Canada. This beef will be raised, slaughtered and further processed in Ontario. This would return more than 80 per cent of the direct costs of production to Ontario’s farmers and economy.
Fresh or frozen beef steaks, roasts and other fresh cuts must be from animals less than 30 months of age; these must meet the above criteria and must be graded (Canada Grade or equivalent).
CONSUMER AND INDUSTRY APPROVED DEFINITIONS OF ONTARIO FOOD PRODUCTS
The definitions that will be used for government marketing purposes are listed here. Commodities or commodity organizations that have not developed commodity specific definitions for government marketing programs will use 100 per cent Ontario definitions (born, raised, slaughtered and processed in Ontario).

Ontario foods Definitions Results from Consumer Testing, Revised Definitions and Product of Canada Comparison

CONSUMER AND INDUSTRY APPROVED DEFINITIONS OF ONTARIO FOOD PRODUCTS
The definitions that will be used for government marketing purposes are listed here. Commodities or commodity organizations that have not developed commodity specific definitions for government marketing programs will use 100 per cent Ontario definitions (born, raised, slaughtered and processed in Ontario).

Ontario beef
Ontario beef will be born, raised, slaughtered and further processed in an approved facility in Ontario. When there are not enough calves born in Ontario to meet the demand for beef, calves may be sourced from within Canada. This beef will be raised, slaughtered and further processed in Ontario. This would return more than 80 per cent of the direct costs of production to Ontario’s farmers and economy.
Fresh or frozen beef steaks, roasts and other fresh cuts must be from animals less than 30 months of age; these must meet the above criteria and must be graded (Canada Grade or equivalent).

Ontario cheese 
More than 90 per cent of the milk in Ontario cheese is produced on Ontario dairy farms. Up to 10 per cent of the milk used for processing in Ontario can be sourced from within Canada. The curds and whey must be produced in Ontario from Ontario dairy inputs. Any identified secondary ingredients need to be grown and produced in Ontario (e.g. strawberry cream cheese).

Ontario chicken
Ontario chicken will be hatched from eggs laid in Ontario or from newly hatched chicks which may be sourced from within Canada or the United States. These chickens will then be raised, slaughtered and processed in Ontario.

Ontario dairy products (yogurt, sour cream etc. – excludes milk and cheese) 
More than 90 per cent of the milk in Ontario dairy products must be produced on Ontario dairy farms. Up to 10 per cent of the milk used for processing in Ontario can be sourced from within Canada. Any identified secondary ingredients need to be grown and produced in Ontario (e.g. peach yogurt).

Ontario eggs 
Ontario eggs must be laid on egg farms in Ontario.

Ontario fruit
Ontario fruit must be grown in Ontario.

Ontario hard wheat flour
A majority (over 80 per cent) of the final volume of the product must be grown in Ontario and 100 per cent of the wheat must be milled in Ontario.

Ontario honey
100 per cent of the product must be produced, extracted and packaged in Ontario.

Ontario lamb 
Must be born, raised, slaughtered and processed in Ontario.

Ontario maple syrup 
100 per cent of the product must be collected, processed and packaged in Ontario.

Ontario milk 
More than 90 per cent of the milk processed in Ontario is sourced from Ontario dairy farms. Up to 10 per cent of the milk used for processing in Ontario can be sourced from within Canada. Any identified secondary ingredients need to be grown and produced in Ontario.

Ontario pork
Must be born, raised, slaughtered and processed in Ontario.

Ontario processed food products
Ontario processed food products must be made in Ontario from a majority of Ontario ingredients. More than 80 per cent of the total direct costs of production must return to Ontario. Primary agricultural ingredients will meet the individual Ontario foods definition.
Example: “Ontario chicken pot pie” — 80 per cent of the total direct costs of production would have to return to Ontario and the chicken in the pie would have to be hatched from eggs laid in Ontario or from newly hatched chicks which may be sourced from within Canada or the United States. These chickens would then be raised, slaughtered and processed in Ontario.

Ontario soft wheat flour (cake and pastry flour)
Due to extensive production of soft wheat in the province, 100 per cent of the Ontario soft wheat needs to be grown and milled in Ontario

Ontario vegetables
Ontario vegetables must be grown in Ontario.

For further information please contact:
Officer, Client Services
Foodland Ontario
Business Development Branch
519.826.3947