What Food Testing Is Required to Sell in Major Retailers Like Costco, Walmart, Sobeys, and Save-On-Foods in Canada?

---

Selling your food product in national retailers is an exciting milestone but it comes with strict testing and labeling requirements. Whether you're preparing to pitch your product to Costco, Walmart, Sobeys, Save-On-Foods, or other major grocery chains in Canada, it’s essential to meet both regulatory and retailer-specific standards.

In this post, we’ll walk you through the types of analysis and documentation most retailers expect before placing your product on their shelves.

Why Food Testing Matters to Retailers?

Large grocery chains carry thousands of products, and they need assurance that your food is:

• Safe to consume

• Properly labeled

• Stable for distribution and shelf life

• Compliant with Health Canada and CFIA regulations

Retailers also want to avoid recalls and protect their reputation so they require reliable testing, documentation, and transparency from every supplier.

Common Tests and Certifications Required

Here’s a breakdown of the most common tests and certifications retailers may request before accepting your product:

• Nutritional Labeling (CFIA-Compliant) Required for packaged foods — must include accurate calorie count, macronutrients, and allergen disclosures.

• Shelf Life Testing Proves how long your product stays fresh and safe. This may include accelerated shelf life analysis or real-time testing.

• Microbiological Testing Screens for harmful pathogens like E. coli, Salmonella, Listeria, mold, yeast, and total plate count (TPC).

• Allergen Testing Verifies the presence or absence of allergens such as peanuts, dairy, gluten, and soy — a key requirement for safe labeling.

• Physical & Chemical Analysis Especially important for beverages, sauces, or prepared foods to test pH, moisture, water activity, and more.

How Food Testing Lab Can Help

We partner with food brands of all sizes to ensure their products meet the exact requirements of Canadian grocery chains. Whether you're launching a new snack, beverage, or meal kit, we provide:

• Affordable lab testing tailored to your category

• Retailer-specific testing panels

• Compliant nutritional labels

• Accelerated shelf-life testing

• Certificate of analysis and reporting

Ready to Get Your Product on Retail Shelves?

Contact us today for a personalized testing plan.

FAQs

• What testing is required to sell a food product in Canada?

Users need CFIA-compliant nutritional labeling, microbial analysis, and shelf life testing to meet regulatory and retailer expectations.

• Is shelf life testing mandatory for Costco, Walmart or Sobeys?

Yes. Major grocery chains often require proof of shelf life — either through accelerated testing or validated storage data.

• Can I use a third-party lab for food testing?

Absolutely. Most Canadian retailers prefer or require independent, third-party lab testing to ensure unbiased results.