Canary seed as human food

In early 2016, the Canary Seed Development Commission of Saskatchewan obtained novel food approval for dehulled glabrous (hairless) Canary seed in both Canada and the United States. Since then, the Commission has been working to develop this market using the Spanish name for Canary seed, alpiste, to differentiate it from bird seed.

We have contracted Synthesis Agri-Food Network to conduct discovery calls with food manufacturers in the spring of 2025. Each manufacturer will receive a box containing alpiste seed, flakes, and flour, pancake mix, and a granola bar created by the Saskatchewan Food Centre, as well as documents outlining alpiste’s nutrition and sensory profile and reasons for incorporating it into food products.

Stay tuned for more developments.