Project Title: Canadian Total Diet Study Sample Collection
Purpose:
The purpose of this Request for Information (RFI) is to seek information from potential suppliers regarding the collection of food samples for the Canadian Total Diet Study (TDS).
Health Canada requires the services of a contractor to purchase food samples in the city of Calgary, Alberta, and package and ship them to Ottawa. The Canadian Total Diet Study (TDS) is a food surveillance program that monitors the concentrations of chemical contaminants in foods typically consumed by Canadians.
In autumn 2026, Health Canada requires a contractor to purchase the TDS foods from grocery stores, fast food outlets, takeout restaurants, and specialty food establishments; package them for shipping, and ship them to Ottawa.
Health Canada’s Total Diet Study provides estimates of dietary intake of priority chemicals for Canadians. Its results are published in peer-reviewed journals, on open government websites, and are used by evaluators and policy makers to provide guidance and recommendations on food safety practices.
The 2026 Total Diet Study will collect foods from the city of Calgary, Alberta. A variety of brands and producers is important, therefore for each food item, four different brands or store locations are required. The breakdown of the total number of food items to be collected is as follows: 648 items from grocery stores, 32 fast food items, 28 restaurant takeout items, and 17 specialty store items.
The foods must be packaged for shipment to prevent breakage, spills, and cross-contamination, and to preserve food integrity. Non-perishable items must be packaged to prevent damage/cross-contamination. Perishable meats must be frozen prior to shipping and shipped in suitable thermally insulated containers packed with dry ice. Perishable produce, dairy, or other refrigerated items must be shipped in suitable thermally insulated containers packed with ice packs. The breakdown of packing requirements is as follows:
- 205 non-perishable items;
- 352 perishable (refrigerated with ice packs) items;
- 168 frozen (dry ice) items.
Health Canada will:
- Provide detailed shopping instructions for foods to be collected;
- Be available for communication, to clarify or answer questions;
- Reimburse the costs of food purchases, shipping, and supplies;
The Contractor will:
- Purchase all required shipping, packaging, and labelling supplies;
- Collect all food samples in accordance with Health Canada’s detailed shopping instructions;
- Package all food samples for shipping in accordance with Health Canada requirements and applicable shipping regulations;
- Record a detailed record of purchases and shipping expenses, and submit documentation to Health Canada for reimbursement.
