| Description | Grading and Packing Manuals | Legislation | Grades and Labelling |
| Issue Contacts | Program Contacts | Additional Information |

Description:

The Fruit and Vegetable Inspection Program provides support to the industry through the enforcement of Regulation 378 of the Farm Product Grades and Sales Act. Program staff continually collect samples of Ontario fruit and vegetables from different levels of trade in the industry. These samples are submitted to the Laboratory Services Division, University of Guelph for testing of pesticide residues, food borne pathogens and other contaminants. Staff are also involved in preparation and dissemination of manuals for packaging, labelling and quality requirements of fruit and vegetable products, as well as educational material for labelling signs and advertisements at the retail level. The Fruit and Vegetable Inspection Program staff are responsible for investigating and assisting in the resolution of disputes which may arise regarding quality, labelling or food safety issues. Compliance and enforcement action is taken as necessary. Program staff also keep industry informed of regulatory changes and assist industry in complying with these changes.

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Grading and Packing Manuals

The Grading and Packing Manuals contain a summary of the regulations that apply to the grading, packing and marking of specific commodities in Ontario. These manuals are supplied by the Food Inspection Branch to assist in the marketing of the particular commodity.

The manuals are prepared for convenience only. For complete information, please refer to the official volumes of the Farm Products Grades and Sales Act.

The Fruit and Vegetables Inspection Program is responsible for enforcement of Regulation 378 of the Farm Products Grades and Sales Act (external link opens in new window - see disclaimer). In addition, please note that this link is based on a search critera. Or, visit the following link for the
E-Laws web page and take the following steps in the Regulations of Ontario website:

Grades and Labelling Charts

This grades and labelling chart outlines the mandatory and optional Ontario Marking Requirements for Fresh Fruit and Vegetables at Retail.

Commodity and Issue Contacts 

If you have an issue or question regarding the Farm Products Grades and Sales Act for a particular commodity or a legislative matter, then visit this page for a list staff members who can respond to your questions.

Program Contacts 

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Foods of Plant Origin
Ontario Ministry of Agriculture and Food
Food Inspection Branch
1 Stone Road West, 5th Floor North West
Guelph, ON
N1G 4Y2

Tel: 1-888-466-2372, ext 64180 (Ontario only) or (519) 826-4180
Fax: (519) 826-4375

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Bengt Schumacher
Risk Management Specialist
Ontario Ministry of Agriculture and Food
Food Inspection Branch
2284 Nursery Road
Midhurst, Ontario
L0L 1X0
Tel: (705) 725-7295
Fax: (705) 725-5751
Email: bengt.schumacher@ontario.ca

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Additional Information: 

For further Fruit and Vegetable information available on either the ministry's website or the Internet (see disclaimer), just click on any of the following links.