New Canadian vodka rules comes into force

The rules that govern vodka in Canada have been updated to allow for all agricultural ingredients to be used in production, in a move designed to support “innovation and competitiveness”.

Canadian distillers can now use any agricultural material to make vodka

In January this year, the Canadian government proposed changes to vodka regulations in a bid to enhance exports and promote innovation. The vodka standard has not been updated since 1959.

The new rule comes into force immediately. However, Canadian distillers have until 13 December 13 2022 to follow the new regulations and make any valid labelling changes.

The current standard for vodka in Canada, defined under the Food and Drug Regulations (FDR), monitors what can be labelled as vodka when that product is traded inter-provincially or imported.

Under the current Canadian vodka standard, vodka must be made from grain or potato spirits, treated with charcoal, and be devoid of distinctive character, aroma or taste.

Now, Canadian distillers can use any agricultural material other than potatoes and cereal grain.

The use of new ingredients such as honey, apple, or dairy in vodka production provides consumers with “more choice and better aligns Canada with international standards, increasing innovation and competitiveness”.

Vodka produced from ingredients other than just potatoes or cereal grain must be labelled with the term ‘Produced from’.

The new rule ensures “fewer barriers to trade between provinces and territories, and enhances international trade” as the regulation is better aligned with the approaches of “key trading partners”, such as the US and the European Union (EU). Currently, the US and the EU allow vodka to be produced from a wider range of raw materials.

“Our government committed to modernise the vodka standard to enhance economic competitiveness and improve trade,” said Marie-Claude Bibeau, Canada’s minister of agriculture and agri-food.

“We’ve now met this promise and our country’s ever-growing spirits industry will be able to create new and innovative vodkas and sell them in markets across Canada and abroad.”

Spirits volume sales in Canada grew by 3.2% in 2018, boosted by vodka and whisky, according to recent statistics from trade body Spirits Canada.

Vodka, including flavoured vodka, was the most popular spirits category last year, representing 28.1% of total sales. This was closely followed by whisky at 27.9%.

There are 112 distilleries across Canada, many of which are located in British Columbia, Ontario and Quebec.

In 2017, Canada imported more vodka than it exported with imports totalling US$143.9 million, while exports reached US$13.8m.