Prepare a food package for a Canadian production handoff.

Use this before a project handoff or launch review

1. 01

   Set one current product record

   List the product, every format and variant, supplied dielines, current copy, ingredients, claims, barcodes and required panels. Mark the source that wins when files conflict, rather than asking production reviewers to infer what is current.

2. 02

   Name the approval owners

   Identify who approves brand, product copy, legal or regulatory input, technical production and final release. Ashbi can organize the artwork and handoff, but the responsible client owners and specialists need a clear review path for their decisions.

3. 03

   Check language and information early

   Have the responsible reviewer confirm which mandatory information, language requirements and exemptions apply to the specific product and market before the design system is locked. Keep approved English and French copy, where required, in the same controlled source.

4. 04

   Ask about front-of-package requirements

   For a prepackaged food, ask the responsible regulatory reviewer to determine whether the front-of-package nutrition-symbol rules apply before final artwork is approved. CFIA guidance states that the FOP labelling deadline was January 1, 2026 and that requirements depend on the product and applicable thresholds or exemptions.

5. 05

   Protect the real panel plan

   Review the supplied dieline with the people responsible for technical and regulatory approvals. Mandatory information, nutrition content and any required symbols need confirmed space and placement before a production-ready version is issued.

6. 06

   Release a traceable package

   Package the final source files, linked assets, approved copy, artwork log and named contacts with the exact version sent for review. Record each approval against that version so a late change does not silently reopen an earlier decision.