Reminder: Coming into force of SFCR and the SFC import licence

The Government of Canada’s new Safe Food for Canadians Regulations (SFCR) came into force on January 15, 2019 and requires that food imported into Canada meets the same food safety outcomes and has been prepared with the same level of food safety controls as food prepared in Canada.

For admissibility release, any licences/registrations issued under previous regulations remain valid until their expiration/renewal date provided they contain the following statement: "This certificate is issued in accordance with the [name the Regulations]. This registration, licence, permit or authorization is also a licence that is issued under the Safe Food for Canadians Act upon its commencement day." 

Either a Safe Food for Canadians License or a pre-existing registration/licence number is to be entered as part of an import declaration in the AIRS Registration Type # 893 (Safe Food for Canadians Licence) for the purpose of facilitating release.

If an SFCR licence is not available and there is a previously issued commodity specific licence/registration, this licence/registration can be entered. However, declarations submitted with a blank licence field while considered non-compliant with SFCR, these shipments should not be refused entry at this time, if otherwise compliant.

Importers are reminded to make every effort to ensure they are compliant with SFCR requirements, including obtaining a Safe Food for Canadians Licence where one is required. Safe and otherwise compliant shipments without a valid SFC licence or pre-existing registration/licence number should not to be rejected at this time.