New food regulations are now in force

The Safe Food for Canadians Regulations (SFCR) are now in force. These regulations require most food businesses to have a Safe Food for Canadians (SFC) licence to import, export or send food across provincial and territorial boundaries.

Read the tips for a smooth Safe Food for Canadians licence application before applying for an SFC licence to learn more about:

• Choosing a food category
• Knowing your business number
• Entering your legal business name
• Meeting other SFCR requirements
• Creating a single or multiple profiles

Apply for a licence using My CFIA.

Enforcement approach

To balance the need to protect Canada's food safety system while supporting food businesses in their efforts to comply with the new regulations, the CFIA's enforcement approach at coming into force will emphasize working with businesses to help them understand the new requirements.

Outcome-based regulations

The SFCR include outcome-based regulations, which specify the desired result that a regulation is intended to achieve, rather than describing a specific process or action that must be followed to achieve compliance, as in prescriptive regulations. Learn more about outcome-based requirements and what they mean for your business.

Certificate of free sale

The manufacturers' declaration is no longer being used for exports. Food businesses must obtain an SFC licence and certificate of free sale through My CFIA.

Pre-recorded webinar now available

To help food businesses prepare for the SFCR, the CFIA has posted a pre-recorded webinar online. The 30-minute webinar provides an overview of key elements of the SFCR and My CFIA.