Maple Syrup Grades


What maple syrup grades mean in Ontario

All maple syrup sold in Ontario must be graded and classified for colour.

Maple syrup producers that pack,sell and transport  maple syrup only in Ontario are subject to the grade and colour classification requirements of Ontario Regulation 119/11 Produce, Honey and Maple Products under the Food Safety and Quality Act, 2001. The grades and colour classifications are shown in the tables below.

Grades for Maple Syrup
Item
Grade Name
Grade Requirements
1.
Ontario No. 1
1. The maple syrup,
   
(a) is free from fermentation;
   
(b) is uniform in colour and free from any cloudiness or turbidity;
   
(c) has a maple flavour characteristic of its colour class and is free from any objectionable odour or taste.
   
2. The sale of the maple syrup is not prohibited by section 4 of this Regulation.
2.
Ontario Processing Grade
1. The sale of the maple syrup is not prohibited by section 4 of this Regulation. (Section 4 states that maple syrup sold must be free of contamination.)

 

COLOUR CLASSIFICATION FOR MAPLE SYRUP
Item
Colour Class
Percentage of Light Transmission
1.
Extra Light
75% or more
2.
Light
60.5% or more but less than 75%
3.
Medium
44% or more but less than 60.5%
4.
Amber
27% or more but less than 44%
5.
Dark
Less than 27%

 

All retail maple syrup, sold by Ontario producers, regardless of grade, must contain a minimum sugar content of 66 percent and be created exclusively from the concentration of maple sap. The difference between maple syrups is strictly colour and the intensity of its maple flavour.

A small number of Ontario maple syrup producers ship syrup out of the province or out of the country . These producers are federally registered and are subject to the federal Maple Products Regulations under the Canada Agricultural Products Act. They are required to follow different, but similar, grade standards and use the same colour classifications.

When consumers purchase maple syrup from an OMSPA member, regardless of whether it bears a Canada grade or an Ontario grade, they can be assured it meets all regulatory requirements and is of the highest quality.