On July 24, 2025, a reminder notice was sent out that the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA)is currently restricting the importation of ghee and butter oil from countries where these products are commonly produced. 

If you are an importer of these goods, it is vital that you know the details of these restrictions as detailed in the Health of Animals (HAR) regulations. These regulations prohibit the importation of products that could pose a threat to Canadian agriculture and animal health. 

The primary concern of these restrictions is that those countries that could potentially have active cases of Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD). As there is currently limited scientific information on how to treat these products and neutralize any present FMD, importation from countries that have veterinary systems that have not been evaluated or whose export certificates the CFIA does not accept is restricted.

For import requirements related to butter oil or ghee, please refer to the Automated Import Reference System (AIRS) under the commodity code 040590 3563 01. 

You are also encouraged to investigate the following resources for more information: 

• Canadian import restrictions on butter oil and ghee
• Foot and Mouth Disease – Countries officially recognized by Canada as free of the disease
• Countries evaluated by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency for the export of animal products and by-products to Canada