Toolkit for food businesses

If your business is new to federal food regulations, follow these steps to help understand the requirements of the Safe Food for Canadians Regulations (SFCR), as well as other food-related requirements.

On this page

Overview

General information about the SFCR and other federal laws that may apply to your business

General information about the SFCR and other federal laws that may apply to your business Timelines

Find out when the SFCR requirements apply to you

Find out when the SFCR requirements apply to you Key requirements

Find out if you need to get a licence, and meet preventive control and traceability requirements

Find out if you need to get a licence, and meet preventive control and traceability requirements Commodity-specific requirements

You may need to meet requirements for specific foods

You may need to meet requirements for specific foods Information for importers and exporters

Ensure the food you import or export meets the requirements

Ensure the food you import or export meets the requirements Packaging and labelling requirements

Learn how to comply with labelling, packaging and advertising requirements

Learn how to comply with labelling, packaging and advertising requirements Inspection and enforcement

Prepare for an inspection and learn how we enforce regulations

Prepare for an inspection and learn how we enforce regulations Additional resources

Questions and answers, fact sheets in multiple languages and backgrounders for media

Overview

The SFCR generally apply to businesses that import or prepare food for export or interprovincial trade. However, some traceability, labelling and packaging requirements also apply to food businesses that trade within one province or territory.

Timelines

The Safe Food for Canadians Regulations (SFCR) came into force on January 15, 2019. Some of these requirements are being phased in based on food commodity, type of activity and business size.

Examples of manufactured foods could include: confectionary, snack foods

beverages, coffee and tea

oils, dried herbs and spices, nuts and seeds

processed grain-based foods such as baked goods, cereals and pasta

New requirements apply to businesses in the manufactured food sector on July 15, 2020 . Some small businesses in this sector may have until July 16, 2021 to meet preventive control requirements. See the SFCR timeline for all other foods (manufactured foods). Please note: the CFIA is not prioritizing compliance activities with regard to SFCR requirements for the manufactured food sector at this time due to the COVID-19 pandemic. For more information, consult the Update on Safe Food for Canadians Regulations requirements for the manufactured food sector.

Some small businesses in this sector may have until to meet preventive control requirements. For businesses in other sectors, please see the timeline that applies to you.

Key requirements

Traceability requirements Traceability is the ability to track the movement of a food product, one step forward and one step back in the supply chain. Keeping traceability records allows businesses to track food products in the event of a food safety investigation or food recall in order to protect consumers and potentially minimize economic losses. Retailers only need to trace one step back, not forward to consumers. More information: Fact sheet – available in multiple languages

Detailed guidance: Traceability for food

Questions and answers on traceability

Video: Traceability requirements

Commodity-specific requirements

In addition to general requirements, you may need to meet requirements for specific food commodities:

Information for importers and exporters

Importers located in Canada Importers need to ensure that the food they import is safe to consume and meets Canadian requirements. Imported food must be prepared with the same level of food safety controls as food prepared in Canada. Please note: If you are importing food into Canada, you must get your licence before presenting your shipment at the border. You will not be able to get a licence at the border. More information: Fact sheet – available in multiple languages

Detailed guidance: Food imports

Questions and answers on importing

Infographic: 3 key principles for importers

Video: Importing food to Canada

Foreign suppliers Attention foreign suppliers: You must export food to Canada through a licensed Canadian importer. If you are a foreign business that prepares foods for export to Canada, you cannot apply for a licence under the Safe Food for Canadians Regulations (SFCR) unless you qualify as a non-resident importer.

Exporters located in Canada The Safe Food for Canadians Regulations (SFCR) require that foods exported from Canada are prepared under the SFCR, which are based on internationally recognized food safety controls. This enhances market access for Canadian exports. As an exporter, the food you export needs to meet Canadian requirements, as well as those of the importing country, before you can export your food. When there are no requirements in the foreign country, you still need to comply with applicable Canadian law, including the SFCR. More information: Fact sheet – available in multiple languages

Detailed guidance: Food exports

Questions and answers on exporting

Infographic: 3 key principles for exporters

Video: Exporting food

Packaging and labelling requirements

All food businesses need to meet certain labelling, packaging and advertising requirements.

Businesses must meet requirements under the Food and Drugs Act (FDA) and Food and Drug Regulations (FDR) in addition to those under the Safe Food for Canadians Act (SFCA) and Safe Food for Canadians Regulations (SFCR).

These acts and regulations are intended to protect consumers from food safety risks and enable them to make informed food choices based on information that is truthful and not misleading.

Note: some foods may require specific information on a label for traceability purposes; traceability-specific labelling requirements should be consulted for additional details.

More information:

Inspection and enforcement

The CFIA's enforcement approach to the Safe Food for Canadians Regulations (SFCR) balances the need to protect Canada's food safety system while supporting food businesses in complying with the regulations.

Since the regulations came into force on January 15, 2019, inspectors have been informing food businesses where they can find the information to help them comply with the regulations.

Enforcement actions, where applicable, are proportionate to the food safety risk and the seriousness of the non-compliance. Factors such as potential or actual harm, compliance history and intent are also taken into consideration.

More information:

Additional resources