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Issues: Packaging

“Best If Used By” Labeling in Canada

Fresh produce is not required to carry a “best if used by”  or “sell by” date in Canada (called a durable life date in its regulations), yet suppliers may want to provide this service to their customers and to consumers. Such a date is recommended, but not legally required, if it is a fresh cut product, such as bagged mixed salad, or baby carrots as these have been minimally processed. If you choose to offer a “best if used by” date on your fresh produce, you must follow the Canadian requirements for such a label. PMA thanks the staff at the Canadian Produce Marketing Association for the following information.

As per the Canadian Food and Drug Regulations - B01.007 - Subsections 4 & 5

(4) The durable life date shall be shown in the following manner:

(a) the words "best before" and meilleur avant shall be shown grouped together with the durable life date unless a clear explanation of the significance of the durable life date appears elsewhere on the label;

(b) where, for the sake of clarity, it is necessary to show the year in which the durable life date occurs, the year shall be shown first and shall be expressed by at least the last two numbers of the year;

(c) the month shall be shown in words after the year, if the year is shown, and may be abbreviated as prescribed by subsection (5); and

(d) the day of the month shall be shown after the month and shall be expressed in numbers.

(5) The month of the durable life date, when abbreviated, shall be abbreviated as follows and only one such abbreviation shall be used for the English language and the French language:

JA for January

FE for February

MR for March

AL for April

MA for May

JN for June

JL for July

AU for August

SE for September

OC for October

NO for November

DE for December
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