You are responsible for the safety of your food products and for meeting requirements under federal food regulations.
The Safe Food for Canadians Regulations (SFCR) apply to all food businesses that import food into Canada or prepare food that will be exported from Canada or traded from one province or territory to another.
If you operate within one province or territory, some requirements may still apply to you.
Steps to take
1. Find out if you need a licence
Answer a few questions using the licensing interactive tool to find out if your business needs a licence.
2. Before you apply for a licence
If you need a licence, start by finding out what to consider before applying.
3. Learn what other requirements you may need to meet
Some of these requirements may apply to you even if you don't need a licence.
Preventive control requirements
Make sure you meet food safety preventive control requirements. Most businesses also need a written preventive control plan.
- Read guidance on preventive controls and preventive control plans to learn more about these requirements.
- Answer a few questions using the preventive control interactive tool to find out if you need a written plan.
Traceability requirements
Verify that you meet traceability requirements. Answer a few questions using the traceability interactive tool to find out if you need to have traceability records.
Other requirements (importing, exporting, labelling and more)
The toolkit for food businesses can help you understand other requirements that may apply to your business – including those related to:
- specific food commodities
- packaging and labelling – including Product of Canada and Made in Canada claims
- importing
- exporting
4. Create a My CFIA account when you're ready to apply
Your My CFIA account will allow you to:
- apply for a licence
- manage and track your application online
- request, manage and track other service requests for your business (for example, permits, registrations and certificates)
Enforcement actions
If you don't meet requirements, you could be subject to measures, such as:
- seizure or recall of your products
- administrative monetary penalties
- licence suspension or cancellation
- prosecution
More information
- Making or trading food in Canada
- Food safety investigations and recalls
- Understanding the SFCR
- Administrative monetary penalties
- Videos on Canada's federal food regulations
- Guidelines for "Product of Canada" and "Made in Canada" claims
- Food notices for industry
- Sign up for email subscriptions
- Checklist for preventing and controlling Listeria monocytogenes in ready-to-eat foods
- Checklist for preventive controls