New federal maple syrup grading to match United States

Thursday, July 3, 2014

by SUSAN MANN

The proposed new federal government rules to mesh Canada’s maple syrup grading system with the United States have been a long time coming but representatives from Ontario’s industry welcome the changes.

Ray Bonenberg of Pembroke, president of the Ontario Maple Syrup Producers Association, says “we’ve pushed this for the last eight, 10 years.” The association represents more than 400 maple syrup producers across Ontario.

The new grading proposal calls for there to be two grade names, Canada Grade A and Canada processing grade along with four new colour classes for Canada Grade A – golden delicate, amber rich, dark robust and very dark strong.

The current federal Maple Products Regulations have three grades, Canada No.1, Canada No. 2 and Canada No. 3 with the associated colour classes of extra light, light, medium, amber and dark.

Bonenberg says he loves the new grades and colour classes. “I’m actually a pilot project and I’ve been using those grade stickers (the proposed new ones) for two years.”

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency announced the changes in a June 27 press release saying the “proposed changes would harmonize the definition and grading system in the United States and Canada and give consumers more consistent and relevant information about the different varieties of maple syrup.”

Bonenberg says the new rules will only apply to producers who are federally registered. In Ontario, there are 33 federally registered producers.

Ontario made some changes to provincial maple syrup regulations three years ago as part of harmonization efforts, he says. The Ontario grades are the same as the current federal grades and associated colour classes, he says, adding Ontario producers who are not federally registered are governed by the Ontario rules.

There has been extensive consumer research on the proposed new federal colour classes, he says. “The intent here is to link colour with flavour so it’s really following cheese, breads, beer and wine. When you think of a colour you think of a flavour.”

The new rules go further than just modernizing the colour grades, he notes. “It’s actually leaping into the next century to say that ‘maple is a delicacy and a food that deserves to be enjoyed.’”

Tammy Jarbeau, CFIA senior media relations officer, says by email the proposed changes are based on recommendations from the International Maple Syrup Institute and the agency’s consultations. “Public opinion research conducted by the International Maple Syrup Institute found that consumers are confused by the different grading and classification systems associated with maple syrup. The implementation of these new grades would facilitate informed consumer choice.”

People have until Sept. 10 to comment on the proposed regulations. CFIA is recommending a two-year transition period to enable industry to gradually implement the changes. BF