Maple Syrup Monitoring Program and results

Overview

The Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA) administers an annual Maple Syrup Monitoring Program to assess samples of Ontario maple syrup for compliance with Ontario Regulation 119/11 - Produce, Honey and Maple Products (O. Reg. 119/11) under the Food Safety and Quality Act, 2001 (FSQA). Anyone who packs, labels, transports or sells maple syrup in Ontario and who does not hold a federal licence for that activity, must comply with this regulation (some exceptions apply).

About the process

Sample collection

Samples of Ontario maple syrup are collected by OMAFRA Food Safety Inspectors who are appointed under the FSQA. Inspectors appointed under the FSQA have authority to collect samples at the expense of the owner. Samples are randomly collected from across the province points of sale across the province, including:

• retail stores
• roadside stands
• farmers' markets
• farm gate

Samples undergo laboratory analysis by the University of Guelph’s Agriculture and Food Laboratory, as well as container and label review by OMAFRA staff to determine compliance with various requirements under O. Reg. 119/11. 

Container and label review

After collecting a maple syrup sample, an OMAFRA inspector reviews the sample’s label and container to assess their compliance with various requirements under O. Reg. 119/11.

Retail containers of 125 milliliters or less have fewer labelling requirements than containers greater than 125 milliliters. Inspectors take the container size into consideration when determining the label’s compliance with O. Reg. 119/11.

Lead analysis

All samples are analyzed for the presence of lead.

O. Reg. 119/11 prohibits the sale, transportation or packaging of maple syrup that is contaminated. It also requires that all utensils, containers and equipment used in the production and storage of maple syrup must be made of food-grade material. Lead levels in maple syrup above 0.15 parts per million (ppm) indicate that there is likely a source of lead in the production or storage equipment and that this equipment does not meet regulatory requirements.

Lead levels above Health Canada's tolerance level of 0.5 ppm indicate a potential food safety risk. When these levels are detected, the Ministry takes immediate compliance action. Refer to Compliance action for more details.

Grade and colour classification

Maple syrup labels must include a grade and colour class that meet various criteria under O. Reg. 119/11. Labels on consumer containers of 125 millilitres or less do not require this information.

Prior to 2022, samples were routinely tested by the University of Guelph Agriculture and Food Laboratory for percent light transmission using a spectrophotometer. These values were then compared to the colour ranges described in Table 5 of O. Reg. 119/11 to confirm whether the container was labelled with the correct colour class.

Containers with an incorrect or missing grade or colour class on the label were considered non-compliant with O. Reg. 119/11. The ministry followed up with the producers of these products accordingly.

Since 2022, OMAFRA completes colour testing only on a case-by-case basis.

Density (Brix) analysis

O. Reg. 119/11 requires maple syrup to have a minimum density or soluble solids content of 66 percent (66º Brix). Prior to 2022, all samples were analyzed for density using a bench top digital refractometer. Brix levels below 66º Brix were considered non-compliant with O. Reg. 119/11. The ministry followed up with the producers of these products accordingly.

Since 2022, OMAFRA completes colour testing only on a case-by-case basis.

Receiving results

All producers receive a letter, sent by mail or email, detailing the results for their maple syrup sample.

Compliance action

If requirements under O. Reg. 119/11 are not met, OMAFRA follows established progressive compliance protocols and works with the person responsible for the maple syrup to bring the product into compliance. The first progressive step usually involves providing education and advice to the producer or person responsible for the syrup. If practices are not adjusted to meet regulatory requirements, the ministry takes additional compliance action which may include: 

• verbal or written warnings
• compliance orders
• product detention
• seizure
• fines/tickets under the Provincial Offences Act

When lead levels above 0.15 ppm are detected, an OMAFRA inspector notifies the producer and arranges follow-up activities to help identify the source(s) of the lead. The inspector works with the producer to ensure lead source(s) are removed.

Lead levels above 0.5 ppm are considered a potential food safety risk and the ministry immediately notifies the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA). Compliance action for potential food safety risks could include:

• collection of additional samples
• compliance orders
• product detention or disposal
• recall by the CFIA

For more information about the requirements for maple syrup in Ontario, refer to Regulatory requirements for maple products in Ontario.

Program results

The following tables provide an aggregate summary of the results from the Maple Syrup Monitoring Program from 2019 to 2023.

The results from this program are not statistically viable and cannot be used to generalize the state of the maple syrup industry.

Note that the Maple Syrup Monitoring Program was not administered in 2020. Routine Brix and colour testing were discontinued starting in the 2022 maple season.

Density (Brix)

Label review

Lead analysis

Colour classification

Grade identification

Grade and colour class are not required on containers of maple syrup that are less than 125 milliliters but may be included as optional information. If this information is included on the label, then it must be correct.

Contact us

For more information about the Maple Syrup Monitoring Program or to obtain results from previous years, please contact the Food Safety Inspection Delivery Branch at fpo.omafra@ontario.ca or call 1-877-424-1300.