MAPAQ Healthy Eating Program (PAS)
MAPAQ’s Healthy Eating Program funds food processing businesses that want to develop or improve healthier foods for the Quebec market. It covers diagnostic studies, full reformulation projects and strategic activities for the broader food sector.
Maximum assistance rate
Depending on the selected stream
Maximum assistance
Under stream 3, per applicant
Program status
Streams 1 and 2 remain open until 2029
Program status
Streams 1 and 2 remain open on an ongoing basis until March 31, 2029, or until funding is exhausted. Stream 3 operates through calls for projects; the period in the supplied program information runs from August 17 to October 23, 2026.
Why the Healthy Eating Program can strengthen your product line
Quebec consumers are looking for foods with less sodium, sugar and saturated fat and more fibre. The program helps finance this transition so your business does not carry the full cost alone.
Validate a project before investing
Stream 1 funds a diagnostic study completed by an external consultant to assess a reformulation project before internal resources are committed.
Reformulate an existing product
Stream 2 supports changes that reduce sodium, sugar or saturated fat, or that add fibre or a bioactive compound recognized by Health Canada.
Stand out with a health-enhancing food
A product containing bioactive compounds such as omega-3s or probiotics, combined with strong nutritional quality, can open a higher-value market category.
Mobilize the food sector around nutrition
Stream 3 funds collaborative training, networking and clinical-study projects for associations, research centres and other sector organizations.
Reduce the financial risk of reformulation
By sharing project costs with the government, your business limits its financial exposure while the commercial potential of the reformulated product is being proven.
Is your business eligible for the Healthy Eating Program?
Streams 1 and 2 share the same eligible applicants, while stream 3 serves a broader, more collaborative group.
| Eligibility criterion | Description | What MAPAQ looks for |
|---|---|---|
| Business type — streams 1 and 2 | Food processing business, subcontractor, central kitchen or group of businesses. | Evidence of processing activities and a direct connection to the product covered by the project. |
| Registration and establishment | Be registered with the Quebec Enterprise Register and operate an establishment in Quebec. | Enterprise register information and the address where the food is processed. |
| Processing and commercialization | Process the covered food in Quebec and market it in Quebec, at minimum. | Evidence of sales or market availability, even on a small scale. |
| Mandatory label — stream 2 | Provide the current label for the product being improved, including the Nutrition Facts table. | A complete label when the application is submitted. |
| Organizations and groups — stream 3 | Business groups, research institutions, non-profit organizations, co-operatives and consulting firms. | Registration and an establishment located in Quebec. |
The three Healthy Eating Program streams
Each stream supports a different stage in the development of healthier food, from an initial assessment to sector-wide mobilization.
Stream 1 — Diagnostic studies
This stream identifies opportunities to develop or improve processed foods through a diagnostic study completed by an external consultant.
Objectives: Identify ways to develop a food with strong nutritional quality, improve a formulation or reduce the use of food additives.
Financial assistance: 70% of eligible expenses, up to $100,000 per applicant over the life of the program, with at least $10,000 in eligible expenses.
Eligible projects: A diagnostic study completed within 24 months by an external consultant with no business relationship to the applicant.
Stream 2 — Development and improvement of nutritional value
This stream aims to increase the number of foods with strong nutritional quality, improved nutritional value or health-enhancing properties available in Quebec.
Objectives: Develop a new food with strong nutritional quality or improve an existing formulation within a maximum of 36 months.
Financial assistance: 60% of eligible expenses, up to $150,000 per applicant over the life of the program, with at least $10,000 in eligible expenses. Priority projects may receive an increase of up to 10%.
Required documents: The current product label, including its Nutrition Facts table, must be submitted with the application.
Stream 3 — Strategic activities and projects
This stream builds sector-wide awareness and mobilization around developing or improving foods with strong nutritional quality.
Objectives: Support networking, training, the promotion of best practices and clinical studies on the beneficial effects of an ingredient.
Financial assistance: 70% of eligible expenses, up to $300,000 per fiscal year and $900,000 per applicant over the life of the program, with at least $40,000 in eligible expenses.
Eligible applicants: Groups of food processing businesses, research institutions, non-profit organizations, knowledge-transfer centres, consulting firms and co-operatives.
How can you maximize a PAS application?
The program requires a detailed understanding of its nutritional thresholds. Here is how Avinova supports your application.
Clarify the target food category
We determine whether your project concerns a food with strong nutritional quality, improved nutritional value or health-enhancing properties, then identify the most advantageous stream.
Review the label and potential increase
We review the current Nutrition Facts table to assess eligibility for the 10% increase and identify the most valuable nutritional improvements.
Select the external consultant
For stream 1, we help document the required consultant’s qualifications, résumé and service proposal.
Build and submit the application
We assemble the form, stream template, financing plan and supporting documents, then follow the file through MAPAQ’s decision.
FAQ
Is MAPAQ’s Healthy Eating Program currently open?
Yes. Streams 1 and 2 accept applications on an ongoing basis until March 31, 2029, or until the available funding is exhausted. Stream 3 operates through calls for projects; the current period in the supplied program information runs from August 17 to October 23, 2026. Confirm the exact deadline before applying.
How much financial assistance can the program provide?
Assistance covers 70% of eligible expenses up to $100,000 under stream 1, and 60% up to $150,000 under stream 2, with a possible 10% increase. Stream 3 covers up to 70% of eligible expenses, to a maximum of $300,000 per year and $900,000 per applicant over the life of the program.
What foods does the program cover?
The program covers prepackaged processed foods with reduced sodium, sugar or saturated fat, foods enriched with fibre, and health-enhancing foods containing bioactive compounds recognized by Health Canada, such as omega-3s or probiotics.
Is an external consultant required?
Yes for streams 1 and 3: the project must be completed by an external consultant with no business relationship to the applicant. Stream 2 may also use an internal specialist when evidence of expertise and the required payroll records are provided.
Why work with Avinova on a Healthy Eating Program application?
Avinova understands the nutritional thresholds recognized by MAPAQ and structures applications that clearly demonstrate the proposed improvement. Our team prepares the required records and follows the file through payment of the assistance.
Conclusion
The Healthy Eating Program is a practical opportunity for food processing businesses to invest in healthier products with assistance covering up to 70% of eligible expenses. Whether you are assessing an idea or ready to reformulate a product, a well-targeted application improves your chances of securing funding.
Avinova understands MAPAQ’s assessment criteria and knows how to present your project clearly. Our team supports you from eligibility review through payment of the assistance.
Contact us for a free consultation