The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) administers the Safe Food for Canadians Act (SFCA) and its Regulations (SFCR). These are Canada’s main federal food safety laws, governing how food is produced, processed, stored, and distributed.
Under SFCR, food businesses that import, export, or ship food across provincial borders must hold a valid SFCR licence and maintain a documented Preventive Control Plan (PCP). The CFIA conducts inspections to verify compliance with these requirements.
IMPORTANT: Inspections can be unannounced. If your documentation, facility, or practices do not meet CFIA requirements on the day of inspection, the consequences can include stop-sale orders, product recalls, public notices, and licence suspension.