A Safe Foods for Canadians License
is Required to Import Food Into Canada
Written By: Heather Innes
Date: May 6, 2020
With few exceptions, importers of food into Canada now or soon (July 15, 2020) will require an import license issued pursuant to the Safe Foods for Canadians Regulations:
- The Safe Foods for Canadians Regulations (the "Regulations") issued pursuant to the Safe Foods for Canadians Act ("SFCA") came into force on January 15, 2019.
- The Regulations and the SFCA prohibit any person from importing food into Canada unless that person holds an import license issued by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency ("CFIA") in acordance with and when required by the Regulations.
- While there are a few exceptions, this requirements applies to most food imports and most food importers.
- For some foods (e.g. meat, fish, dairy, eggs,), a license was required for imports made on and after January 15, 2019. For certain other foods (e.g. manufactured foods), the license is not required until July 15, 2020. It is important to review the requirements set out in the SFCR to confirm the timing.
- Importers must ensure that the imported food is safe and must also meet several product related, operational and establishment requirements in order to qualify for the import license. For example, the importer must establish a preventive control plan, implement tracing and recall procedures, and in many instances, establish a fixed place of business in Canada.
- Covid-19 changes announced by the CFIA: On April 7, 2020 the CFIA issued an update that indicated that, until further notice, the CFIA does not intend to prioritize compliance activities associated with the July 15, 2020 coming into force of the regulations for the manufactured food sector. While this suggests some leniency with respect to the import licensing requirements for manufactured food products, the CFIA continues to encourage the submission of import license applications. As well, those who import food into Canada remain responsible for ensuring the safety of the food products that they import.
For more information, or for assistance securing your import license, please contact Heather Innes at 416-350-1234 or heather@lexsage.com.
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