What Does “Made in Canada” Really Mean?

“Made in Canada” isn’t as simple as it sounds! Many products cross borders multiple times, with parts and materials coming from around the world. While Canada plays a big role in manufacturing, global supply chains make things complex. Still, buying Canadian-made supports local jobs and industries—every little bit helps! 🍁

Canadian Alternatives to Popular Brands

🥛 Dairy Products

Instead of: Kraft (cheese, dairy) → Try: Saputo, Black Diamond, Armstrong
Instead of: Philadelphia (cream cheese) → Try: Lactantia, Tre Stelle, Agropur
Instead of: Yoplait (yogurt) → Try: Astro, Olympic, Liberté
Instead of: Land O’Lakes (butter) → Try: Lactantia, Natrel, Gay Lea

🥤 Soft Drinks & Beverages

Instead of: Coca-Cola, Pepsi → Try: PC Cola, Big 8 Beverages, A&W root beer is made in the United States and Canada. In the United States, Keurig Dr Pepper manufactures A&W, root beer. In Canada, Coca-Cola Canada Bottling Company and A&W Canada manufacture A&W root beer
Instead of: Tropicana (juice) → Try: Oasis, SunRype, Arthur’s
Instead of: Gatorade, Powerade → Try: BioSteel (Canadian sports drink)
Instead of: Starbucks bottled drinks → Try: Second Cup ready-to-drink beverages

🍿 Packaged & Snack Foods

Instead of: Lay’s (chips) → Try: Old Dutch, Covered Bridge, Hardbite
Instead of: Doritos, Cheetos → Try: Neal Brothers, Hardbite tortilla chips
Instead of: Kellogg’s (cereal) → Try: Nature’s Path, Barbara’s
Instead of: Nabisco (cookies/crackers) → Try: Dare, Leclerc, Voortman
Instead of: Campbell’s (soups) → Try: Habitant (by Loblaws), President’s Choice soups
Instead of: Heinz (ketchup, sauces) → Try: French’s (Canadian-made ketchup), President’s Choice

🥩 Meat & Processed Foods

Instead of: Oscar Mayer (deli meats) → Try: Maple Leaf, Schneiders, Pillers, Drake Meats and Harvest Meats (Saskatchewan)
Instead of: Hormel (bacon, ham) → Try: Olymel, Grimm’s
Instead of: Tyson Foods (chicken products) → Try: Lilydale, Maple Lodge Farms
Instead of: Beyond Meat (plant-based) → Try: Yves Veggie Cuisine

🥫 Condiments & Sauces

Instead of: Hellmann’s (mayonnaise) → Try: President’s Choice, Compliments
Instead of: French’s (mustard) → Try: Kozlik’s, President’s Choice
Instead of: Hidden Valley (salad dressing) → Try: Kraft (Canadian-made varieties)
Instead of: Tabasco (hot sauce) → Try: Dawson’s, Piri Piri by PC, No Name hot sauce
Instead of: No Name Sugar → Try: Rogers (Lantic), Redpath Sugar

🍰 Baking Products

Instead of: Pillsbury (flour, baking mixes) → Try: Robin Hood, Five Roses, Compliments
Instead of: Betty Crocker (cake mixes) → Try: President’s Choice, No Name
Instead of: Hershey’s (chocolate chips) → Try: Camino, Laura Secord, PC chocolate chips
Instead of: Domino (sugar) → Try: Redpath (Canadian brand)

🧊 Frozen Foods

Instead of: Green Giant (vegetables) → Try: Arctic Gardens, Compliments, No Name
Instead of: Stouffer’s (frozen meals) → Try: President’s Choice, M&M Food Market
Instead of: Eggo (waffles) → Try: Nature’s Path, President’s Choice

☕ Coffee & Tea

Instead of: Starbucks → Try: Second Cup, Van Houtte
Instead of: Folgers → Try: Nabob, Kicking Horse Coffee
Instead of: Lipton (tea) → Try: Red Rose
Instead of: Nestlé (coffee creamers) → Try: International Delight (Canadian-made), Beatrice creamers

🧴 Personal Care Products (Found in Grocery Stores)

Instead of: Colgate (toothpaste) → Try: Green Beaver
Instead of: Dove (soap, shampoo) → Try: Live Clean, The Green Beaver Company
Instead of: Head & Shoulders → Try: Attitude, The Unscented Company

🧴 Home Products/Hardware

Instead of: Filtrete (air filter) → Try: Cycle Air
Instead of: Walmart Furniture → Try: Biglow Woodcraft (They primarily sell to the States and will be hurt hard…please reach out for furniture alternatives.)

🍿 Fast Food & Snacks

Instead of: MacDonald’s → Try: A&W
Instead of: Dorito’s → Try: Oreo, Premium Plus, Ritz, Peak Freans, Dad’s (It’s made in Canada, but it falls under Mondelez International which is an American owned company.)