Maple Program

| Description | Legislation | FAQ | Contacts | Additional Information |

Description:

Program staff prepares and disseminates educational material for producers regarding requirements legislated by Regulation 386 of the Farm Products Grades and Sales Act which includes labeling, grade standards and adulteration.

Under the Food Safety Monitoring Program, maple product samples are collected for analysis. Positive test results for lead levels in excess of Health Canada guidelines and those in non-compliance with Regulation 386 requirements are communicated to the producers and/or other government agencies, as required. When necessary, a Risk Management Specialist works with non-compliant producers to investigate and resolve issues related to maple labelling, quality and food safety. Compliance and enforcement action may be taken in the event of serious and/or repeated non-compliance.

Staff continually liaises with industry and government agencies to address concerns of the Ontario maple industry. Educational material and advice is provided to individual maple producers and to industry associations. The Maple Program also supports development of industry-wide food safety and quality assurance programs by providing materials and resources to assist in their development and review.

Legislation: 

Maple Products are legislated under Regulation 386 of the Farm Products Grades and Sales Act.
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Frequently asked questions:

Q 1. What are the labelling requirements for maple products?

A 1. The labelling requirements are outlined in Section 5, of Regulation 386.

Q 2. What are the container requirements for maple syrup?

A 2. The container requirements are outlined in Section 7.1, Subsections 1,2,3 of Regulation 386.

Q 3. What is the legal density of maple syrup?

A 3. - It is 66 degrees Brix or % sugar.

Q 4. Why are there sugar crystals on the bottom of my maple syrup container?

A 4. As the density of maple syrup increases over 66 Brix, usually above 67.5, the chance of crystallization of the sugar increases and sugar crystals can form in the bottom of the container.

Q 5. Why is my syrup cloudy?

A 5. There may be several reasons for this. The cloudiness is usually caused by very fine particles called sugar sand or nitre. In some cases the syrup needs to be refiltered and many of the particles will come out. In some cases certain production areas or individual woodlots seem to be prone to this. Where there is a particular problem, filter presses are used to remove more of the sugar sand.

Q 6. What are the grades for maple syrup?

A 6. The grades are outlined in section 13. (1) & (2) of Regulation 386. Details are also found in the Canada Agricultural Products Act.

Q 7. Why are there colour classes for maple syrup?

A 7. Historically maple syrup has been colour classified with the extra light being very mild with a delicate maple flavour , progressively becoming slightly stronger through each class to dark which is very strong. This was to assist the consumer in identifying the flavour they liked in a particular syrup and relating that to its particular colour classification.

Contacts:

If you require further information on:

• Quality and Food Safety - contact...

•  Production and Forestry - contact...
  

Todd Leuty
Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs
Greenhouse, Agroforestry and Speciality Crops
Tel: (519) 846-0941
Fax: (905) 846-8178
Email: todd.leuty@ontario.ca

• Maple Regulations - Canada Agricultural Products Act - contact...

Eric Prud' Homme
CFIA Montreal
(514) 283-3815

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Sal DeMonte
CFIA Guelph
(519) 837-9400

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Ontario Maple Syrup Producers Association
Heather Kenny
(705) 939-6670
Email: admin@ontariomaple.com
Website: http://www.ontariomaple.com/

Additional Information:

"The Seal of Quality Program" is a quality assurance program developed by the Ontario Maple Syrup Producers Association. Heather Kenny is the Business Administrator and can be contacted at (705) 939-6670.

For further Maple Products information available on the ministry's website, just click on the links below:

• The Maple Syrup Industry in Ontario
  
• Maple Syrup Agriphone Reports
  
• Production and Farm Value of Maple Products, 1982-2007
  
• Ontario Maple Festivals