Canada’s New Food Safety Regulations: What Importers & Exporters Need to Know

Are You Prepared for Canada’s Updated Food Safety Requirements?

If you import or export food products, it’s crucial to stay informed about the proposed regulatory changes from the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA). These updates, part of the Safe Food for Canadians Regulations (SFCR), aim to modernize food safety standards, impacting businesses across the supply chain.

The 90-day public consultation period for these regulations closed on April 21, 2017, marking a significant step toward implementation. The SFCR introduces stricter requirements for businesses involved in importing, exporting, or interprovincial trade of food products, including sectors previously not federally regulated.

Who Will Be Affected?

The new regulations will apply to:
✔ Importers of food products
✔ Exporters shipping goods internationally
✔ Manufacturers & processors selling food across Canadian provinces
✔ Businesses in previously unregulated sectors, such as:

· Infant foods

· Spices & seasonings

· Bakery products

· Fats & oils

· Snack foods

· Cereal products

Key Changes Under the SFCR

1. Licensing Requirements

· Who needs a license?

Food importers

Businesses preparing food for export or interprovincial trade

Slaughterhouses processing animals for meat products in interprovincial/export trade

· License Details:

Valid for 2 years

Application fee: ~$250

Multiple licenses allowed per business

Non-compliance may result in suspension or cancellation

2. Enhanced Traceability Systems

Businesses must maintain one-step-forward, one-step-back traceability (following Codex international standards).

· Records Required:

Supplier information (immediate source)

Customer details (next recipient)

· Exemptions: Retailers selling directly to consumers

· Compliance Deadlines:

24 hours or less for urgent CFIA requests (e.g., health risks)

Records must be accessible in Canada in English or French

Electronic records must be compatible with standard software

3. Preventive Control Plans (PCPs)

Businesses must implement science-based safety measures, including:
✔ Sanitation & pest control
✔ Equipment & facility standards
✔ Proper storage & handling
✔ Employee hygiene & training
✔ Recall & complaint procedures

Additionally, commodity-specific rules (e.g., meat import approvals) will remain in place.