Classification of Maple Syrup Sold in Quebec and Canada

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Classification of Maple Syrup Sold in Quebec and Canada

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Classification of Maple Syrup Sold in Quebec and Canada

There are two types of classification for maple syrup: the federal government classification and that of the provincial governments. Quebec's maple farmers have the option of complying with either of the two regulations in effect.

Federal Classification

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) governs the food safety and quality of maple products in Canada and is responsible for the "federal" classification of maple syrup. This classification standard includes three categories and five grades of syrup:

Canada #1 (Extra light, Light, Medium)
Canada #2 (Amber)
Canada #3 (Dark) and syrups from any other category with flavour flaws

Category No.1	Extra light Light Medium		In order to be classified as "Canada No. 1” category, maple syrup must meet the standards of section 5 of the Canadian food regulations, and: a) must not ferment; b) must have a clear and uniform colour; c) its colour grade must be Extra clear, Clear, or Medium; and it d) must have a maple flavour that is typical of its colour grade, and be free of any unpleasant odours or flavours. * Maple syrup product regulations (C.R.C., ch 289)
Category No. 2	Amber		In order to be classified as "Canada No. 2” category, maple syrup must meet the standards of section 5 of the Canadian food regulations, and: a) must not ferment; b) must have a clear and uniform colour; c) its colour grade must be Amber, and it d) must have a maple flavour that is typical of its colour grade, and be free of any unpleasant odours or flavours. * Maple syrup product regulations (C.R.C., ch 289)
Category No. 3	Dark, or any other ungraded category	+	In order to be classified as "Canada No. 3” category, maple syrup must meet the standards of section 5 of the Canada food regulations, have a typical maple syrup flavour and: a) must not ferment; b) must have a clear and uniform colour; c) its colour grade must be Extra clear, Clear, or Medium or Dark; d) must be free of any unpleasant odours or flavours, but must contain traces of caramel, plant bud or sap flavours. * Maple syrup product regulations (C.R.C., ch 289)

Source: Table provided by the Fédération des producteurs acéricoles du Québec; contents provided by the CFIA

Provincial Classification

The government of Quebec issued Maple Products Regulations which establish two categories and five colour classes for maple syrup according to its clarity, density and characteristic maple flavour, while ensuring the product meets all quality standards.

The categories and colour classes are detailed in the following table. The provincial regulations require that Dark maple syrup be used only for industrial purposes.

Category No.1	Extra light Light Medium Amber		Maple syrup belongs to Category No.1 if it: a) has a clear and uniform colour; b) has a flavour that is typical of maple syrup; c) does not contain any flavour of caramel or sap, or traces of insoluble calcium malate; d) shows traces of cristallization. * Food regulations (c. P-29, r.1)
Category No. 2	Extra light Light Medium Amber Dark		Maple syrup belongs to Category No.2 if it: a) is clear in colour; b) has a flavour that is typical of maple syrup; c) shows traces of cristallization; d) has any of these defects: flavour of caramel or sap, or traces of insoluble calcium malate. * Food regulations (c. P-29, r.1)

Source: Table provided by the Fédération des producteurs acéricoles du Québec; contents provided by MAPAQ

Federal and provincial classifications are based on maple syrup's degree of light transmission, measured by a visual method involving a spectrophotometer.

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