Mar 19, 2025
Canada is home to many well-known brands and manufacturers, but some of the foods, drinks and clothing brands you may assume are made here actually come from elsewhere – and vice versa.
With globalization and corporate acquisitions, the origin of a product isn’t always obvious, even if the brand has strong Canadian ties (or even has Canada in the name!). Some companies have maintained local production, while others have moved manufacturing abroad for economic reasons. Meanwhile, certain foreign brands have set up shop in Canada, producing goods you might not expect to be made within our borders.
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With recent trade tensions and tariffs igniting the Buy Canadian movement, many consumers are paying closer attention to where their products come from. If you're looking to support Canadian-made goods or just want to know which brands are truly local, here are some surprising facts about what’s actually produced on Canadian soil — and what isn’t.
Ben & Jerry’s ice cream: A sweet surprise from Ontario
Ben & Jerry’s, the beloved ice cream brand known for its chunky, creative flavours, is owned by global consumer goods giant Unilever. What many Canadians don’t realize is that the ice cream sold here is produced in Simcoe, ON. That’s right — those pints of Half Baked and Cherry Garcia come from a small Ontario town, not Vermont, where the company was founded.
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Chapman’s ice cream: Proudly Canadian
If you want to support a born and bred Canadian ice cream brand, look no further than Chapman’s. This family-owned company, based in Markdale, ON, is one of Canada’s largest independent ice cream manufacturers. They produce everything from classic vanilla to nut-free and lactose-free options, all made in Canada.
Kraft salad dressing? Made in Canada. PC salad dressing? Not so much
If you’ve reached for a bottle of Kraft salad dressing, you may be surprised to know that it’s made right here in Canada. However, if you opt for President’s Choice (PC) salad dressing, thinking you're buying a Canadian-made house brand, you’re actually buying a product made in the United States.
While PC is a brand owned by Canada’s Loblaw Companies Ltd., its salad dressings are manufactured south of the border.
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Kellogg’s cereal: Mostly made in the US
While Kellogg’s has a long history in Canada, the majority of its cereals are now made in the United States. The company closed its London, ON, plant in 2014, shifting production of popular cereals such as Corn Flakes and Frosted Flakes to facilities in the US. If you’re buying a box of Kellogg’s cereal, chances are it was made outside of Canada.
Canadian Club whisky: Still made in Canada
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Whisky lovers can take pride in the fact that Canadian Club, one of the country’s most iconic spirits, is still made in Windsor, ON.
The brand has been around since 1858 and remains a staple in the whisky industry, proving that some classic Canadian products are still made close to home. We realize that the fact it says 'Canadian' in the name is a give away that maybe, it's still made here, but in today's climate, you can never be too sure.
Canada Dry ginger ale: Or should we call it, America Dry?
Case and point, we regret to inform you that though the name implies otherwise, Canada Dry, originally founded in Canada in 1904, is no longer a Canadian-owned company, and is instead owned by American beverage conglomerate Keurig Dr Pepper.
While Canada Dry is produced and distributed in multiple countries, including Canada, owernship of the brand has been in American hands since the early 1980s.
Roots: A Canadian brand with American ties
Roots, the iconic clothing and lifestyle brand known for its cozy sweats and leather goods, was founded in Canada in 1973. While it still has strong Canadian roots (pun intended), many of its products are now manufactured outside the country, including in Asia, and has been owned by Searchlight Capital Partners LP, an American investment firm, since 2015. Despite its branding as a symbol of Canadian culture, much of what you see in Roots stores today isn’t actually made in Canada.
Do your due diligence to do your part
While a brand’s identity may be rooted in Canada (or not!), its manufacturing and ownership can tell a different story. As consumers, taking a closer look at labels and researching where our favourite products come from empowers us to make informed decisions.
Whether it's enjoying a scoop of ice cream, cozying up with a highball in your comfy sweats, or just being aware of where the things we buy are really made, every purchase we make is an opportunity to invest in the economy, and ultimately the country we want to sustain.
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Leslie Kennedy served as an editor at Thomson Reuters and for Star Media Group, followed by a number of years as a writer and editor and content manager in marketing communications, before returning to her editorial roots. She is a graduate of Humber College’s post-graduate journalism program and has been a professional writer and editor ever since.
