Bringing Food Across the Border

[maryjeane]

I am very confused about whether we can bring meat across the border into Canada. We will be crossing from Washington into BC at a land border crossing. Can we bring packaged raw meat? Can we bring homemade chili that contains cooked meat? Can we bring homemade chicken salad? All this would be for personal use while vacationing.

 

[scylla]

I am very confused about whether we can bring meat across the border into Canada. We will be crossing from Washington into BC at a land border crossing. Can we bring packaged raw meat? Can we bring homemade chili that contains cooked meat? Can we bring homemade chicken salad? All this would be for personal use while vacationing.

Meat has to be commercially packaged.

So packaged raw meat is fine as long as it's commercially packaged and labeled (i.e., something you would buy in a store pre-packaged and not packaged at home).

Homemade chili and chicken salad are not OK.

 

[scylla]

I am very confused about whether we can bring meat across the border into Canada. We will be crossing from Washington into BC at a land border crossing. Can we bring packaged raw meat? Can we bring homemade chili that contains cooked meat? Can we bring homemade chicken salad? All this would be for personal use while vacationing.

Sorry - my mistake. Typed too quickly. The raw meat isn't fine since it's raw. It has to be cooked / shelf-stable and commercially packaged. So unfortunately nothing from your list is a go.

 

[maryjeane]

Meat has to be commercially packaged.

So packaged raw meat is fine as long as it's commercially packaged and labeled (i.e., something you would buy in a store pre-packaged and not packaged at home).

Homemade chili and chicken salad are not OK.

OK, thank you! What about a store-bought, packaged, cooked rotisserie chicken?

 

[maryjeane]

Sorry - my mistake. Typed too quickly. The raw meat isn't fine since it's raw. It has to be cooked / shelf-stable and commercially packaged. So unfortunately nothing from your list is a go.

OK, got it!

 

[scylla]

OK, thank you! What about a store-bought, packaged, cooked rotisserie chicken?

No - it's not shelf-stable. Shelf-stable means something that doesn't need refrigeration to keep from spoiling.

 

[YVR123]

I have never done that but back in the days, many do grocery shopping in the border town and drive back with their grocery. I am pretty sure eggs and milk and cheese were some of the popular items. But not sure about rotisserie chicken (I am sure some friends got them from Costco in Bellingham) and raw meat.

 

[maryjeane]

No - it's not shelf-stable. Shelf-stable means something that doesn't need refrigeration to keep from spoiling.

Got it!

 

[scylla]

I have never done that but back in the days, many do grocery shopping in the border town and drive back with their grocery. I am pretty sure eggs and milk and cheese were some of the popular items. But not sure about rotisserie chicken (I am sure some friends got them from Costco in Bellingham) and raw meat.

Most of these items are prohibited. Of course people still do it. Depends on how much of a risk you're willing to take with CBSA....

 

[maryjeane]

Most of these items are prohibited. Of course people still do it. Depends on how much of a risk you're willing to take with CBSA....

Really don't want to have to throw anything away so we'll be conservative. And then stop at a grocery store.

 

[YVR123]

https://inspection.canada.ca/food-safety-for-consumers/bringing-food-into-canada-for-personal-use/eng/1389630031549/1389630282362

Meat products (meat and poultry): fresh, frozen and chilled

Permitted only if accompanied into Canada by you (cannot be brought in by mail or courier). Packages must have identifying marks, indicating what the product is. Proof of country of origin is required (label showing Product of USA is acceptable). Please note that during outbreaks of avian disease (Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza and Newcastle Disease), poultry products and by-products may be refused entry from certain states. In addition, if the product is not labelled with the state of origin by the manufacturer it may be denied entry.

 

[maryjeane]

https://inspection.canada.ca/food-safety-for-consumers/bringing-food-into-canada-for-personal-use/eng/1389630031549/1389630282362

Meat products (meat and poultry): fresh, frozen and chilled

Permitted only if accompanied into Canada by you (cannot be brought in by mail or courier). Packages must have identifying marks, indicating what the product is. Proof of country of origin is required (label showing Product of USA is acceptable). Please note that during outbreaks of avian disease (Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza and Newcastle Disease), poultry products and by-products may be refused entry from certain states. In addition, if the product is not labelled with the state of origin by the manufacturer it may be denied entry.

This is exactly why I got confused. It says fresh, frozen and chilled. To me that would mean fresh, raw packaged meat would be OK. Other poster says no.

 

[YVR123]

This is exactly why I got confused. It says fresh, frozen and chilled. To me that would mean fresh, raw packaged meat would be OK. Other poster says no.

They are not very clear about RAW or COOKED.

So ... from this news.... raw poultry and egg was OK until this new regulation on those from Michigan because of Bird Flu. But on the safe side, may be get the uncooked items fresh in Canada.

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/windsor/windsor-cfia-poultry-bird-flu-michigan-1.6520550