CA(CFIA)
Asia-Pacific
North America

Health Canada Regulatory Information Brief

1733982732204690.png

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) verifies whether imported foods comply with Canadian regulatory requirements. Health Canada (HC) is responsible for formulating food access policies and regulations, as well as conducting health risk assessments for food products.

Official Website of CFIA: https://inspection.canada.ca

CFIA Registration Database:https://open.canada.ca/data/organization/cfia-acia

Applicable Regulatory Legislation

Food and Drugs Act
Consumer Packaging and Labelling Act
Food and Drug Regulations (FDR)
Regulations Amending the Food and Drug Regulations and the Cannabis Regulations (Supplemented Foods), SOR/0169

Canadian food definitions and classifications

1.png

Supplementary food definition

1733982747112000.png

Prerequisites for Market Access

The importer shall hold a valid Safe Food for Canadians (SFC) licence;
Complete product information, including product name, intended use and full ingredient formulation list, together with bilingual labels in English and French;
Manufacturers are required by Health Canada to implement formal food safety management systems.

Accepted Languages for Filing

English and French

Required Documentation for Filing

1.Preventive Control Plan (PCP)
A comprehensive written document outlining procedures to identify and mitigate biological, chemical and physical hazards arising during food production, processing and packaging stages. This constitutes the core mandatory document; extended transition periods may be available for small-scale enterprises to complete preparation.
2.Traceability Records
Complete records shall be maintained to enable one-step forward and one-step backward traceability of all products. Records must cover product descriptions, quantities, production dates or batch numbers, and information of receiving and supplying parties.
3.Export Application Forms (if applicable)
Applicants exporting food shall complete the Food Export Certificate Request Form. For meat exports, the supplementary verification form CFIA/ACIA 5344 – Annex H is also required, which contains a compliance statement certifying conformity with the importing country’s standards.
4.Enterprise Basic Documentation
Valid business registration certificate;
Official business contact details and physical premises address;

Designated quality management lead person (where applicable).

七.Safe Food for Canadians (SFC) Licence

Prior to importing most food commodities into Canada, the Safe Food for Canadians Act (SFCA) and its associated Regulations (SFCR) mandate importers to obtain a licence issued by the CFIA and declare the licence information accurately on all import declarations.

Filing Procedure, Review Timeline and Official Fees

1. Registration flow chart

image.png

2.Review Timeline

The full registration processing period varies based on the scope of business activities and types of food products covered under the importer’s application.

3.Official Fees

The administrative fee for a Safe Food for Canadians (SFC) licence is CAD 313.20, valid for a two-year term.


Chapter 3 FAQ

Q:How long is a Canadian Importer's Food Safety Licence registration valid?

A:Two years.

Q:Can a Food Safety Permit for Canadian Importers be renewed?

A:It can be renewed.

Q:What is marketing authorization Marketing Authorization(MA)?

A:Developed by the Minister of Health of Canada. They would exempt goods from specific prohibitions in the Food and Drug Act and the Food and Drug Code. The MA will allow the minister to set general rules allowing the sale of food and the use of substances in food. The MA will also allow the use of verified health claims.

Q:What is a Preventive Control Program (PCP)?

A:The Canadian Food Safety Regulations (SFCR) require certain food businesses to prepare, maintain, maintain and implement a written Preventive Control plan (PCP) that explains how hazards and risks to food will be addressed.

Q:What categories are processed foods within the CFIA system?

A:Alcoholic beverages, non-alcoholic beverages, confectionery, sweeteners, snack foods, fats, oils, food chemicals, grain-derived foods, infant formula, breast milk fortifiers, nuts, seeds, spices, herbs, seasonings or condiments.

Q:SFCR requires certain information to be submitted to the CFIA prior to importation. How long in advance should this information be provided?

A:Import information can be submitted electronically to the Canada Border Services Agency via Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) at any time prior to the entry of the goods into Canada - up to 3 months prior to import.

Please note that the information submitted prior to importation must be accurate when entering Canada.

Q:Can I import food that does not meet SFCR requirements?

A:Agreed. Non-compliant food can be imported if the following conditions are met:

① Food labeled "for further preparation only" or "Pour conditionnement ultérieur seulement";

② If you bring the food into compliance within 3 months of its arrival in Canada;

This exemption does not apply to meat goods.

Contact Us
Fill Form
Whether you need more information or wish to cooperate with us, we will guide you through every step of the regulatory process. Subscribe to our newsletter for the latest global regulatory updates.