Bilingual Labelling in Canada: The #1 Reason Amazon.ca Listings Get Removed
Bilingual Labelling in Canada: The #1 Reason Amazon.ca Listings Get Removed
Imagine spending months sourcing, branding, and launching a beautiful product – only to have Amazon Canada flag it, remove it from your listing, and leave you wondering: What went wrong?
This happens all the time. And more often than not, the culprit is something small – but essential: your product label wasn’t compliant in both English and French.
If you’re selling on Amazon.ca, especially in categories like food, supplements, cosmetics, or any consumer product, here’s what you need to know about Canada’s bilingual labeling requirements – and how to stay compliant before your listing gets flagged or removed.
What Amazon Is Really Looking For in Your Canadian Listing
Amazon doesn’t just follow marketplace rules – it mirrors federal Canadian law. That means if you sell in Canada, your products must meet the bilingual packaging and labeling standards set by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA), the Food and Drugs Act (FDA), and the Safe Food for Canadians Regulations (SFCR).
Here’s a direct quote from one of Amazon’s enforcement letters to sellers:
“Food products must be labelled with all the information required by applicable Canadian law in both French and English.”
So, what exactly does that mean for you?
Which Products Must Be Bilingual?
The short answer: almost all prepackaged goods sold to consumers in Canada. The most strictly enforced categories include:
-
Food and beverage products
-
Natural health products and supplements
-
Cosmetics and skincare
-
Cleaning agents and household goods
-
Toys and children’s items
-
Pet foods (regulated separately but still bilingual)
Even if you’re not selling food, if your product includes instructions, ingredients, warnings, claims, or storage directions, chances are it’s subject to bilingual compliance.
And if you’re selling in Quebec, the rules are even stricter: French must often appear first, and sometimes more prominently than English.
What Must Be in Both English and French?
Here’s what Amazon and CFIA expect to see in both languages:
-
Common name (e.g., “olive oil” / “huile d’olive”)
-
Net quantity declaration (e.g., “500 mL / 500 mℓ”)
-
Ingredients list, in descending weight
-
Allergen statements (“Contains: nuts / Contient : noix”)
-
Nutrition Facts Table (NFt)
-
Date markings (Best before, Expiration, Packaged on)
-
Storage instructions
-
Manufacturer’s name and address (can be in either language)
Everything above must be legible, correctly formatted, and placed on the correct panel of the package. Amazon checks these things – especially now that AI tools and image scanners are flagging non-compliant listings automatically.
Real Example: A Seller's Food Product Got Flagged
One seller we worked with had a best-selling protein cookie listed in Canada. It was compliant in the U.S., and they assumed it would be fine for Canadian customers. They were wrong.
Amazon sent this message:
“This product has been identified as a food or beverage product that is missing required information. Food products must be labelled… in both French and English.”
Their packaging was clean, their ingredients were clear – but the entire back label was English-only. That was enough for Amazon to suspend the ASIN immediately.
They lost two weeks of sales and had to resubmit the listing after reprinting compliant labels.
Tips to Stay Compliant and Avoid Listing Removal
Here’s how to avoid that situation:
1. Review all packaging BEFORE listing on Amazon.ca.
Use Amazon’s own Food & Beverage Policy page and the CFIA checklist to confirm what’s needed.
2. Translate professionally – don’t rely on Google Translate.
Allergen warnings, ingredient names, and legal claims must match the terminology used by CFIA. A mistranslation can result in a violation.
3. Include clear product images that show bilingual text.
Amazon reviewers (and AI systems) often rely on images to verify label compliance. If your listing doesn’t show both languages, it’s an easy takedown.
4. Avoid claims Amazon prohibits.
Don’t say “heals,” “treats,” or “cures” any condition listed in Schedule A.1 of the Food and Drugs Act – especially not in unverified health products.
5. If your product is imported, check import eligibility with CFIA’s AIRS tool.
Even if your label is compliant, your product could be refused entry at the border. Always confirm regulatory clearance first.
Are There Any Exemptions?
Yes – but they’re rare.
Some bilingual exemptions apply to:
-
Industrial-use foods
-
Specialty or local products
-
Test market products (with prior approval)
If you’re not sure, don’t assume you’re exempt – Amazon won’t give you the benefit of the doubt.
What Happens If You’re Not Compliant?
Amazon may:
-
Remove your product listing without warning
-
Block future shipments into FBA Canada
-
Flag your account for non-compliance
-
In severe cases, suspend your entire account
And because Amazon’s review system is often automated, even minor mistakes – like forgetting French on a sticker label – can trigger enforcement.
Final Thoughts: Compliance Isn’t Optional - It’s Part of the Sale
Canada is a massive market with loyal customers, but it comes with strict rules – especially for food and consumer-packaged goods. Bilingual labeling isn’t just a nicety – it’s the law.
If your product is flagged, don’t panic – but don’t ignore it either. Whether you need help fixing your labels, responding to an Amazon policy notice, or appealing a suspension, our team at ASA Compliance Group has helped thousands of sellers get back on track.
If you need us to review your labels, listings, or images before submitting to Amazon.ca, just reach out. It’s always better to prevent a takedown than scramble to fix one.
