Indian and Northern Affairs Canada
www.ainc-inac.gc.ca
Common menu bar links
Table of Contents
- Nutritious Perishable Food
- Convenience Perishable Foods
- Non-perishable Food
- Foods of Little Nutritional Value
- Non-food Items
- Priority Perishable Foods
- Questions and Answers
Nutritious Perishable Food
The following products are eligible for shipment at the postage rate applicable to Nutritious Perishable Food:
- dairy products (e.g. fresh milk, UHT milk, buttermilk, chocolate milk, cheese, processed cheese, processed cheese spreads, cottage cheese, butter, cream, ice cream, ice milk, sherbet, yogurt, frozen yogurt, yogurt drinks, powdered milk), excluding canned milk
- margarine
- meat, fish and poultry products (fresh or frozen, including cured and smoked products, fish sticks and fish cakes)
- fruits and vegetables (fresh or frozen)
- fresh juice (pure or reconstituted), frozen juice concentrate, juice in Tetra Paks and similar containers, all of which must be without sugar added
- bread and bread products without sweetened filling or coating (e.g. bagels, English muffins, croissants, bread rolls, raisin bread, garlic bread, hamburger buns, hot dog buns, pizza crusts, frozen bread dough, tortillas)
- eggs and egg substitutes
- selected semi-perishable food products (unsweetened seeds and nuts, cook-type cereals, whole wheat and rye flour, peanut butter, salad dressing, mayonnaise, yeast)
- tofu, vegetable patties, similar vegetable-based meat substitutes, soybean-based milk substitutes
- infant formula, infant cereals, other foods prepared specifically for infants
- water (excluding carbonated and flavoured water)
- combinations of the above products (e.g., pizza, frozen dinners)
- prescription and non-prescription drugs
with the exception of products identified as Convenience Perishable Foods.
Convenience Perishable Foods
The Food Mail Program does not apply to the following Convenience Perishable Foods:
- sandwiches, hamburgers, hot dogs, prepared salads and other prepared foods for immediate consumption which are subject to the Goods and Services Tax
- fresh or frozen products consisting of meat, poultry, fish, vegetables or eggs which are breaded or battered or in pastry
- combinations containing any of the products described above
with the exception of fish sticks, fish cakes, and reduced-fat products, of the type described above, which have been specifically approved as eligible for the Food Mail Program by the Department of Indian Affairs and Northern Development.
The following are examples of Convenience Perishable Foods that are not eligible: fried chicken, sausage rolls, fish in batter, fish and chips, chicken and chips, breaded onion rings, poutine, meat pies, quiche, frozen dinners containing breaded chicken or a sweetened baked good.
Non-perishable Food
The following products are among those eligible for shipment at the postage rates applicable to non-perishable food. The list is not intended to be comprehensive, but confirms the eligibility of certain items.
- canned products such as milk, unsweetened juice, fruit, vegetables, soup, meat, fish, poultry, stew
- unsweetened juice in bottles or cans
- dry beans, peas and lentils
- dried fruit and vegetables, dried soup mixes
- crackers, crispbread, hard bread, Pilot biscuits, melba toast
- arrowroot and social tea cookies
- all purpose flour, cake and pastry flour
- rice, other grains, popping corn (unpopped) [Note 1]
- pasta (macaroni, spaghetti, noodles, macaroni and cheese dinners)
- ready-to-eat breakfast cereals
- cake mixes, pancake mixes, muffin mixes, bread and roll mixes, bannock mixes, pizza mixes, jelly powders, pudding mixes, puddings (canned or ready-to-eat)
- lard, shortening, cooking oils
- sugar, salt, baking powder, cornstarch
- spreads, syrups, sauces, condiments, toppings (excluding artificial cream products), ketchup, vinegar, relish, pickles, jam, honey
- coffee, tea
- fruit drink crystals with vitamin C added
Foods of Little Nutritional Value
The Food Mail Program does not apply to the following food and beverage products:
- beer, wine and spirits
- soft drinks
- carbonated and flavoured mineral water
- all fruit-flavoured drinks and sweetened juice
- fruit drink crystals without vitamin C added [Note 2]
- iced tea, iced tea mixes, cordials, cocktail mixes
- instant hot chocolate mixes
- sweets and snack foods:
- candies, confectionery, chewing gum, chocolate bars, granola bars
- fruit, seeds and nuts when coated or treated with candy, chocolate, honey, molasses, sugar, syrup or artificial sweeteners
- fruit bars, rolls, or similar fruit-based snack foods
- potato chips, corn chips, tortilla chips, pretzels, popped corn products, cheese puffs, and similar products
- snack mixtures (e.g. "nuts 'n bolts")
- sweetened baked goods (cakes, muffins, pies, pastries, tarts, cookies, doughnuts, brownies, croissants with sweetened fillings or coatings, waffles and similar products), excluding arrowroot and social tea cookies [Note 2]
- pie shells and other frozen pastry products
- frozen flavoured ice (e.g. Popsicles)
- imitation cream products (e.g. non-dairy coffee whiteners, non-dairy whipped dessert toppings)
- meal replacements for weight reduction
Non-food Items
All non-food items, with the exception of tobacco, dangerous goods and other prohibited mail as defined in the Canada Postal Guide, are eligible for shipment at the rates applicable to non-food items. The following additional items are not eligible for the Food Mail Program:
Recreation equipment and supplies [Note 3] including
- sporting and athletic goods
- fitness equipment
- bicycles and tricycles
- toys, games, puzzles, models and hobby supplies
- playground equipment
- photographic equipment and supplies
- musical equipment
- computer equipment (hardware and software)
- kits intended for the production of alcoholic beverages
Entertainment equipment and supplies including
- radios, audio and video components or combinations
- audio and video tapes, either blank or pre-recorded
- televisions
- other electronic equipment
- compact discs and records
Reading material including newspapers, magazines and books
All paper products with the exception of:
- disposable diapers
- disposable undergarments
- feminine hygiene products
- nursing pads
- toilet paper
Animal food and other animal supplies.
Priority Perishable Foods
The following products are classified as "priority perishable foods" for the purposes of the Kugaaruk, Kangiqsujuaq and Fort Severn pilot projects:
- fresh milk (excluding chocolate milk), UHT milk, buttermilk, cheese, processed cheese, cottage cheese, yogurt, yogurt drinks, powdered milk
- fresh vegetables
- frozen vegetables, excluding French fries and similar potato products
- fresh fruit
- frozen fruit
- frozen juice concentrate
- eggs.
For the purposes of the Fort Severn pilot project, 100% whole wheat bread and cook-type breakfast cereals are classified as priority perishable foods.
For the purposes of the Kugaaruk pilot project, effective January 1, 2003, Cambridge Bay is designated as an entry point for country food shipped to Kugaaruk under the Food Mail Program, and country food shipped from Cambridge Bay to Kugaaruk is classified as a priority perishable food.
Questions and Answers
| Q. | Why were some Convenience Perishable Foods eliminated from the Food Mail Program in 1996? |
| A. | The principal objective of the Food Mail Program is to reduce the cost of nutritious perishable food and other essential items, thereby improving nutrition and health in isolated northern communities which do not have year-round surface transportation. There was no justification for continuing to subsidize high fat convenience foods which contribute to disease rather than promote health. The increasing intake of fat from southern meats and "junk food" is becoming a serious health and nutrition concern in the North. A high intake of fat, particularly saturated fat, has been linked with an increased risk of heart disease, gallbladder disease, and cancer of the colon, breast and prostate. Convenience prepared foods are also more expensive than similar products prepared at home. By eliminating the subsidy from convenience foods, the cost of basic, healthy foods can be kept as low as possible. |
| Q. | Why were Convenience Perishable Foods defined in this way? |
| A. | The intention was to have a relatively simple definition that merchants, consumers and Canada Post employees without nutritional expertise could use to determine which foods are eligible and ineligible. Foods that are breaded or battered or in pastry are usually very high in fat and saturated fat. |
| Q. | Were all high fat foods eliminated from the program? |
| A. | No. The subsidy continues to apply to fats and oils used as spreads and for cooking, and to some high-fat food items which are not "convenience foods" and those which have other significant nutritional benefits. For example, regular ground beef, wieners, luncheon meats, and peanut butter are high in fat, but these items are basic, less expensive foods. High-fat dairy products remain eligible for the program, because they are an important source of calcium and vitamin A. The average intake of these nutrients among Aboriginal people in isolated northern communities is below the level recommended for good health. High fat snack foods, such as potato chips, have not been eligible for the program since the Department of Indian Affairs and Northern Development (DIAND) assumed responsibility for the program in 1991. |
| Q. | Are all fish sticks and fish cakes eligible even if they are breaded? |
| A. | Yes, provided that they are labelled specifically as "fish sticks" or "fish cakes". These are among the least expensive fish products, and normally have less fat than wieners, luncheon meats and regular ground beef. Other breaded or battered fish products are not eligible, unless specifically approved by the department. |
| Q. | What is the procedure for approving specific Convenience Perishable Foods for shipment under this program? |
| A. | Anyone wishing to mail products of this type may provide details concerning the specific product, including the manufacturer, product name, ingredients, and nutritional information (if included on the packaging) to the manager of the Food Mail Program at DIAND. DIAND will consult nutrition specialists in Health Canada and elsewhere and make a decision, taking into account the nutrient composition of the food concerned. Convenience foods, such as frozen dinners, which are not of the types described above remain eligible for the program, unless they are included on the list of Foods of Little Nutritional Value. No special procedure or approval is required. |
| Q. | Who decides if a product is in the recreation and entertainment categories, a paper product or an animal supply? |
| A. | Those proposing to mail such products and employees of Canada Post will be responsible. Any questions of interpretation should be referred to the manager responsible for the Food Mail Program at DIAND. |
| Q. | What kinds of paper products are ineligible for the program? |
| A. | Examples are facial tissues, paper napkins, paper towels, moist wipes, waxed paper, shelf paper, coffee filters, paper cups, stationery, file folders, newsprint, blank cheques, business forms, greeting cards, wrapping paper, wallpaper, empty packaging materials made from paper or cardboard, and reading materials. |
| Q. | What kinds of animal supplies are ineligible for the program? |
| A. | Examples are dog and cat food, fish food, bird seed, animal crates, bird cages, cat litter, toys for animals, leashes, harnesses, muzzles, collars, pet shampoos, aquariums, and veterinary supplies. |
Footnotes:
- All pasta products (dry, fresh, frozen or canned) and all rice products (dry or cooked) must be shipped at the rates applicable to non-perishable food. These rates also apply to fresh or frozen prepared foods that contain pasta or rice, such as lasagna, fried rice and perogies. (return to source paragraph)
- Fruit drink crystals with vitamin C added, and arrowroot and social tea cookies are accepted at the rates for non-perishable food. (return to source paragraph)
- Camping equipment, snowmobile parts, all-terrain vehicle parts, outboard motor parts, snowshoes, binoculars and other equipment used for hunting, fishing and trapping are eligible, even if intended for recreational use. (return to source paragraph)
