What are the new CFIA certificate requirements for food products containing animal-derived ingredients from the US? 

COMPLIANCE ALERT: As of January 13, 2026, CFIA requires expanded manufacturer and exporter details on FDA Certificates to a Foreign Government for products with bovine, porcine, or poultry-derived ingredients imported into Canada from the United States. 

On January 13, 2026, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency updated its data requirements for official certificates accompanying imports of FDA-regulated food products that contain bovine, porcine, or poultry-derived ingredients. This change affects any food product imported from the United States that contains beef, pork, or poultry as an ingredient, not only products where meat is the primary component. 

CFIA now requires the following additional information to be included on the FDA-issued Certificate to a Foreign Government: the complete name and address of the manufacturer or processor, and the complete legal name and physical address of the exporting company. These details must appear on the certificate itself, not only in accompanying documentation. 

This requirement applies at the certificate level, which means the change needs to be coordinated with your US supplier and with the FDA certificate issuing process before your next shipment. An FDA certificate that was accurate and compliant before January 13, 2026, may not meet the new standard if it does not include the expanded manufacturer and exporter details. 

Importers who source processed foods, prepared meals, condiments, or any multi-ingredient product from the United States that contains animal-derived ingredients should review their current certificate templates and supplier documentation against this updated requirement before their next shipment crosses the border. 

INSIDER INTELLIGENCE: This is a 2026 change that many importers have not yet acted on because the update was announced in January and practical implementation requires coordination with US suppliers who may not be aware of the Canadian requirement. Shipments that arrive with non-compliant certificates face rejection regardless of how long the supplier relationship has been in place.