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Disclaimer: The information provided on this page is for general educational purposes only and does not constitute legal, tax, or professional advice. As a vendor on Local Pass, you are solely responsible for ensuring your business and product listings comply with all municipal, provincial, and federal Canadian laws.
When creating a new product or meal listing on Local Pass, Canadian food vendors must adhere to specific federal and provincial regulations. This guide outlines the key compliance areas you need to keep in mind while filling out your product details.

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1. Truth in Advertising & Product Accuracy

Under Canada’s Food and Drugs Act, the Safe Food for Canadians Act, and the Competition Act, it is illegal to label, package, treat, process, sell, or advertise any food in a manner that is false, misleading, or deceptive. Enforcement of these rules is primarily handled by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) and Health Canada. When creating your Local Pass listing, ensure:
  • Accurate Descriptions: The description of the food, portion size, and ingredients must match exactly what the customer receives.
  • Origin Claims: Be careful using terms like “Product of Canada” or “Made in Canada” unless your product meets the strict threshold defined by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA).
  • Dietary Claims: If you label a product as “Vegan,” “Gluten-Free,” “Halal,” or “Kosher,” you must ensure cross-contamination protocols are strictly followed in your kitchen and that you meet the respective certification or compositional standards.

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2. Allergen & Ingredient Disclosures

Health Canada and the CFIA enforce strict rules around priority allergens. As ecommerce food sales grow, federal guidelines strongly recommend that online listings display the same ingredient and allergen information as physical labels.
Action Required: Use the “Ingredients & Allergens” text box in the product creation dashboard to explicitly list any of the Canadian priority allergens present in your food.
Canada’s Priority Allergens include:
  • Peanuts & Tree Nuts (almonds, Brazil nuts, cashews, hazelnuts, macadamia nuts, pecans, pine nuts, pistachios, walnuts)
  • Sesame
  • Milk
  • Eggs
  • Fish, Crustaceans, and Molluscs
  • Soy
  • Wheat and Triticale
  • Mustard
  • Sulphites (if added at 10 ppm or more)
If there is a risk of cross-contamination in your facility, you must include a precautionary statement in your product description (e.g., “May contain traces of peanuts”).

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3. Canadian Taxes (GST/HST/PST)

Applying the correct tax rate to your food products is your responsibility as a vendor. The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) distinguishes between “basic groceries” and “prepared food and beverages.”
Most hot food, meals prepared for immediate consumption, sandwiches, heated baked goods, and single-serving beverages sold by restaurants, cafes, and food trucks are subject to GST/HST, and potentially PST/RST/QST depending on your province.
If you are selling unheated, bulk groceries (like a frozen meal kit requiring preparation, a loaf of bread, or unheated whole vegetables), these may be considered “basic groceries” and are generally zero-rated (0% tax) for GST/HST purposes.
Setting Taxes on Local Pass: When setting the price of your product, use the “Tax Category” dropdown to select the correct tax class for your item. If you are unsure whether your food item is taxable, consult the CRA Guide on Basic Groceries (GST/HST Memorandum 4.3) or your accountant.

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4. Health & Safety Permits

To legally sell food on Local Pass, you must be operating out of an approved, commercial facility that is regularly inspected by your local Public Health Authority (e.g., Toronto Public Health, Vancouver Coastal Health, etc.). Selling food prepared in a private, uninspected home kitchen is strictly prohibited on Local Pass unless you operate in a jurisdiction with specific “Cottage Food” laws that you strictly adhere to, and you have provided proof of appropriate licensing to Local Pass support.

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5. Restricted and Prohibited Items

Certain items require specialized provincial licenses to sell online and may be restricted on Local Pass:
  • Alcoholic Beverages: You may only list alcohol if you hold a valid provincial liquor delivery/takeout license (e.g., AGCO in Ontario, LCRB in BC) and you have been explicitly approved for the Local Pass Alcohol Vendor Program. Age verification protocols will apply.
  • Cannabis Edibles: The sale of cannabis-infused food products is strictly prohibited on Local Pass, regardless of your licensing status.
  • Raw Milk / Unpasteurized Juices: Strict federal and provincial regulations govern unpasteurized products; verify your local health codes before listing.

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6. Vendor Acknowledgment & Certifications

By proceeding to publish a product on Local Pass, you formally acknowledge that your items are safe for human consumption and that your business strictly adheres to all Health Canada requirements and local public health codes.
Build Customer Trust: You can always upload your health inspection reports, food handling certificates, and other relevant qualifications via the Certifications section in your vendor settings. Displaying these documents directly on your profile is a great way to build trust with your buyers!

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Next Steps

Once you have verified that your product meets these legal requirements:
  1. Double-check your product title, description, and allergen warnings.
  2. Select the correct provincial tax rate for the product type.
  3. Click “Publish Product” to make your item live on Local Pass!

Need Help with Compliance?

If you are unsure about how to format your product description to meet our platform guidelines, contact our merchant support team.