CFIA Rules for Fresh Produce Transportation in Canada

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) is the primary federal authority overseeing food safety in Canada — including the transportation of fresh fruits and vegetables. For shippers moving perishable produce across provincial borders or importing from the United States, CFIA regulations are not optional. Understanding what the agency requires before freight departs is essential to protecting both product integrity and your business.

The Safe Food for Canadians Act

The Safe Food for Canadians Act (SFCA) and its regulations (SFCR) govern all federally regulated food activities in Canada. For fresh produce, this includes importers, exporters, and businesses that transport fresh fruit and vegetables across provincial or international borders. Any produce shipper moving goods interprovincially or from the US into Canada falls under SFCR licensing and traceability requirements.

Cold Chain Requirements During Transit

CFIA does not publish a single universal temperature table for all produce — requirements vary by commodity and are typically defined by commodity-specific grades and standards. However, the agency requires that produce be transported under conditions that prevent deterioration and maintain safety throughout transit. Shippers are responsible for specifying appropriate temperature set points, ensuring trailers are pre-cooled before loading, and maintaining continuous cold chain from packer to receiver.

• Pre-cool trailers to commodity-appropriate set point before loading
• Document pre-cool temperature and loading time
• Specify and confirm set point with the carrier at booking
• Obtain temperature logger data at delivery for high-value or sensitive commodities

Country of Origin and Traceability

CFIA-compliant shipments of fresh produce must include accurate country-of-origin labelling and documentation. Importers of US-origin produce must hold a valid SFCR import licence and ensure their customs documentation accurately declares the country of origin. For produce moving interprovincially within Canada, traceability records must be maintained — including shipper and receiver details, product description, and dates of movement — so the supply chain can be traced within 24 hours of a CFIA request.

Working With a CFIA-Aware Freight Broker

A freight broker with fresh produce logistics experience understands that CFIA compliance starts before the truck is booked. Carrier selection matters: the carrier must be equipped with a functioning, calibrated reefer unit and willing to pre-cool to specification. The bill of lading should capture the agreed set point. Temperature logger data should be requested at delivery. OTR Logistics Solutions coordinates fresh produce freight with these operational requirements built into every booking.