Canary seed has finally received novel food status from Health Canada as well as GRAS status or Generally Recognized as Safe status from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

Saskatchewan is the world’s top exporter of canary seed.

In 2015, an estimated 149,000 tonnes of canary seed with a farm gate value of roughly $90 million was harvested from over 300,000 acres.

David Nobbs, Chair of the Canaryseed Development Commission of Saskatchewan says this is great news for producers and the industry.

“In order to really get this industry moving, we have got to open up into new markets and we have to look for new opportunities. That started in 2006 or even earlier, and today were able to push forward into these human food markets in Canada and the U.S. It is going to take some time. We basically have to develop an industry that is going to dehaul the product and then start moving it into the market.”

Provincial Agriculture Minister Lyle Stewart was on hand for the announcement.

“The fact that now canary seed has been granted novel food status I think bodes well for the future. I think it will take a little time for canaryseed to be widely accepted in food products but it has some great advantages.”

The Canaryseed Development Commission of Saskatchewan, Dr Pierre Hucl along with Dr. Carol Ann Patterson of Pathfinders Research and Management has been working on this lengthy and detailed process since 2006.

“The most significant benefit is that it has to be one of the highest crops that we grow that have twenty percent protein. So it ranks right up there with the pulses; peas, beans, lentils and chickpeas. As a protein source, it’s going to be ideal to go into gluten-free foods because right now in a lot of gluten free foods they are lacking in nutrition. So canary seed will hopefully supplement some of that nutrition composition for gluten free foods.”

Next the industry will need to dehaul the crop for food use. Canary seed flour can be used to make bread, cookies, cereals and pastas

Right now the food use approval is for dehulled canary seed. Commercial dehulling capacity may be required as food demand for the crop expands.

While canary seed is gluten free, those individuals with a food allergy to wheat may also be allergic to a protein in canary seed.