XINHUA

OTTAWA, Canada — The Canadian Food Inspection Agency announced Wednesday, Feb. 15, that Canada and Mexico have reached an arrangement on the trade of organic food, recognizing the two national organic systems as equivalent.

The arrangement will give Canadian families, shopping for organic food, more choices that meet the country’s requirements and expand market access for the Canadian organic industry, the agency said in a statement.

The Canada-Mexico Organic Equivalency Arrangement, which went into effect immediately, will allow products certified under the Canada Organic Regime or the Mexican organic system to be sold and labelled as organic in both countries, the statement said.

The arrangement applies to agricultural and processed products of plant-origin grown or produced within either country, livestock and livestock products produced in Canada, and organic products whose final processing or packaging occurs within either country.

This roster could also include products like fresh, frozen or canned fruits and vegetables, as well as meat, poultry, dairy or egg products certified as organic in Canada, the statement said.