General information
Fresh fruits are a good source of vitamins ,minerals and dietary fiber. Whilst most fruits should be eaten fresh, processed can be acceptable alternatives. They come in many forms, including:
• Pre-prepared fresh
• Canned
• Frozen
• Dried
•Juiced
Pre-prepared fresh fruit
Common varieties include fruit salads . These are convenient, but may have a shorter storage life. They may also be more expensive than whole fresh fruits It is also important to check the information on the nutrition panel for these foods as some pre-prepared salads may include added ingredients, such as flavourings, additiives. Many of these ingredients can be high in sugar and should be avoided.
Frozen or canned fruit
THERE IS A WIDE RANGE OF FROZEN AND CANNED
FRUITS FOR EXAMPLE
• Canned pineapple, peaches, apricots, pears and mixed fruits.
• Frozen mangoes, berries and pineapple.
THE BENEFITS OF CHOOSING FROZEN AND CANNED
FRUIT INCLUDE:
• Convenience
• Longer shelf life
•Year round availability
• Most vitamins are retained as they are generally processed and packaged within hours of being picked
• Easy storage
•Easy preparation
Whilst the canning and freezing process can help protect food from organisms that can cause food to go off, it is important to store and prepare processed fruit and vegetables properly.
• Frozen fruit and vegetables should be kept at -18 degrees Celsius for no more than six months.When shopping, try to put frozen products in your trolley last, take them home immediately and placeThem straight in the freezer.
•Canned fruit are sterilized by heating during the canning process, and can be kept on the shelf for 2 to 4 years. Once a can is opened, however, its contents should be removed from the can, stored in the refrigerator and used within a few days.
• Fruits and packaged in glass jars, plastic tubs and flexible pouches are generally as good a scanned products, as they undergo the same kind of processing. Check the label on the packet for the use-by date and information on how they should be stored.
As with fresh fruit and vegetables, when preparing processed vegetables, microwave cooking and steaming are better options than boiling vegetables in a large amount of water, as the food will keep more of its nutritional value.
Dried fruit
The fiber found in dried fruit is good for you and can help to add variety to a healthy, balanced diet.
However, it is important to remember that because the water is removed, dried fruit such as sultanas, apples, currants, apricots and prunes will naturally contain a lot of sugar. For this reason, no more than one serving of dried fruit should be eaten a day. An example of one serving of dried fruit is 4 dried apricots or 1½ tablespoons of sultanas.
Dried fruit does have a longer storage life than fresh fruit, however it will not last forever. Check the packet for the use-by date and information on storage.
Storing Canned Food
There are limits to how long food quality can be preserved. Why? Several factors limit the shelf-life of canned foods. * Cans or metal lids on glass jars can rust. When rust is deep enough, tiny holes open in the can or lid that may let spoilage agents in. Shipping accidents that dent or crush cans cause problems. * Can corrosion. Food reacts chemically with the metal container, especially high-acid food like canned tomatoes and fruit juices. Over several years, this causes taste and texture changes. It eventually lowers the nutritional value of the food. * Temperatures over 100 degrees Fahrenheit are harmful to canned foods. The risk of spoilage jumps sharply as storage temperatures rise. At prolonged storage temperatures above 75 degrees, nutrient loss in canned foods increases. Light can cause color changes and nutrient losses in foods canned in glass jars. * Never use foods from containers with these spoilage warning signs: loose or bulging lids on jars; bulging, leaking or badly dented cans (especially along the top, side and bottom seams), or foods with a foul odor To store canned food wisely, follow these guidelines: Temperatures over 100 degrees Fahrenheit are harmful to canned foods. * Store in a cool, clean, dry place where temperatures are below 85 degrees (between 50-70 degrees is good) but not freezing temperatures. * Rotate foods so the oldest is used first. Try not to keep canned foods more than one year. * Use canned meats and seafood within 12 months. * Use low-acid canned foods within 8-12 months. * Use high-acid foods within 12 to 18 months. Foods stored longer will be safe to eat if the cans show no signs of spoilage or damage but may deteriorate in color, flavor and nutritive value. * Canned fruit juices can be stored up to 3 years.

Food Labelling for Consumers
Consumers can use food labels to make more informed choices about the food they purchase.
Both Health Canada and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) are responsible for food labelling in Canada.
Country of Origin Labelling for Food Products
In Canada, there are mandatory requirement for certain food products to indicate the country of origin on their labels. Companies may also make voluntary claims to highlight the origins of a product or ingredient in a product.
Country of origin labelling does not provide information on the safety of a food product. All food products sold in Canada, whether produced in Canada or abroad, must meet the same food safety standards.
Mandatory labelling
All prepackaged food products sold in Canada are required to be labelled with the name and address of the company responsible for the product, such as the importer or manufacturer.
When a food product is wholly manufactured outside of Canada, the label must show that the product is imported. This information can be provided in three ways: * the name and address of the Canadian company with the country of origin of the product, * the name and address of the foreign manufacturer, or * the statement "imported for" or "imported by" followed by the name and address of the Canadian company.

Processed fruit and vegetable products wholly manufactured in a country other than Canada
The declaration of the country of origin is mandatory for all imported processed products whether they are sold in their original containers or repackaged in Canada [41(1), PPR]. The country of origin can be declared as part of the identity and principal place of business of the foreign packer (processor) or as a separate declaration, for example: * as part of the identity and principal place of business of the foreign packer (processor): * "ABC Cannery, Cleveland, Ohio, USA" * Manufactured or Packaged by: Mauna Loa Macadamia Nut Corp., Hilo, Hawaii 96720, USA * "Product of USA" * as a separate declaration indicating the country of origin:
All country names must be written out in full, except for the United States which may be abbreviated to USA as it is recognized worldwide.
Examples:
* Frozen carrots are imported from Belgium and repackaged in Canada; the packaging operation does not change the nature of the product. Therefore, the label must read: "Product of Belgium" * Olives are imported from Spain and repackaged in Canada in their original brine; they remain a "Product of Spain"
For the following situations indicating the country of origin is optional. * Products completely prepared in Canada from fruits and vegetables grown and processed in Canada * Processed fruit and vegetable products prepared in Canada from imported fruits or vegetables * Processed fruit and vegetable products prepared in Canada from a mix of imported and domestic fruits or vegetables
A Canadian packer who wishes to declare its product as being of Canadian origin must be careful to avoid giving misleading information to consumers..
Location
The country of origin may be shown anywhere on the label, except on the bottom of the container [42(2), PPR].
Type Size
When imported processed fruit and vegetable products are prepared for a Canadian importer under their private label, the country of origin must be declared clearly and conspicuously on the label, in lettering [41(2), PPR]: * not less than ¼ inch or 6.4 mm high for containers over 10 ounces (> 284 g or > 284 ml); * at least ⅛ inch or 3.2 mm for containers 10 ounces and under (≤ 284 g or ≤ 284 ml)
When the country of origin is declared as part of the foreign identity and principal place of business , the minimum height of the letters of the declaration of country of origin is 1/16 inch or 1.6 mm. [41(1), PPR].
Language
The designation of the country of origin must be shown in English and French, (for example "Product of Spain" "Produit d'Espagne" [32, PPR]) unless the country of origin is part of the identity and principal place of business of the foreign company (for example "Company ABC ..., Spain").
Factsheets

Country of Origin Labelling for Food Products
In Canada, there are mandatory requirement for certain food products to indicate the country of origin on their labels. Companies may also make voluntary claims to highlight the origins of a product or ingredient in a product.

Date Labelling on Pre-packaged Foods
Information about dates on pre-packaged food is a valuable source of information for consumers. A basic understanding of what terms are used can help you to better understand these labels.

Food Irradiation
Food irradiation is the process of exposing food to a controlled amount of energy called "ionizing radiation." Ionizing radiation can penetrate food, killing microorganisms without raising the temperature of the food significantly.

Food Allergies and Allergen Labelling
The CFIA enforces Canada's allergen labelling laws and works with associations, distributors, food manufacturers and importers to ensure complete and appropriate allergen labelling of all foods.

Labelling of Genetically Engineered Foods in Canada
There have been three major consultations since 1993 in Canada on the labelling of novel foods derived from genetic engineering. Based on these consultations, a set of guidelines were developed.

Oral Allergy Syndrome
Oral allergy syndrome is an allergic reaction to certain proteins in fruit, vegetables and nuts. This condition is called "oral allergy syndrome" because it usually affects the mouth and throat.

Shopping for Canadian Food
As a consumer, you may want to know when you're buying food that has been grown in Canada or made in Canada. That's why the food labels "Product of Canada" and "Made in Canada" are so important.
References
http://www.extension.umn.edu/food/food-safety/preserving/fruits/
http://www.inspection.gc.ca/eng/1297964599443/1297965645317