Chapter 1 Health Canada Regulatory Information Brief

1. Eaa and Introduction

Canadian Food Inspection Agency（Canadian Food Inspection Agency，For shortCFIA）Responsible for verifying that imported food meets Canadian requirements.

Health Canada（Health Canada，For short HC）Responsible for the formulation of food entry policies and regulations and the health risk assessment of food.

2. Supervision and regulation

Food and Drugs Act (FDA)

Consumer Packaging and Labelling Act

Food and Drug Regulations (FDR)

Regulations Amending the Food and Drug Regulations and the Cannabis Regulations (Supplemented Foods) (SOR/0169)

3. Canadian food definitions and classifications

4. Supplementary food definition

5. Entry requirement

• An importer with a valid SFC certificate

• Information on the food, including its name and intended use, full ingredient recipe list, bilingual label (English + French)

• In addition, Health Canada requires manufacturers to have a food safety system in place

6. Registration language 

   English and French

7. Food Safety License (SFC License)

Before importing most food products into Canada, the Food Safety for Canadians Act (SFCA) and its Regulations (SFCR) require importers to hold a licence issued by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) and correctly declare it on their import declaration.

Chapter 2  Registration process and cycle

1. Registration flow chart

2. Registration cycle

The registration period will be determined by the business scope and product category applied by the importer.

Chapter 3 FAQ 

Q：How long is a Canadian Importer's Food Safety Licence registration valid?

A：Two years.

Q：Can a Food Safety Permit for Canadian Importers be renewed?

A：It can be renewed.

Q：What is marketing authorization Marketing Authorization（MA）？

A：Developed by the Minister of Health of Canada. They would exempt goods from specific prohibitions in the Food and Drug Act and the Food and Drug Code. The MA will allow the minister to set general rules allowing the sale of food and the use of substances in food. The MA will also allow the use of verified health claims.

Q：What is a Preventive Control Program (PCP)?

A：The Canadian Food Safety Regulations (SFCR) require certain food businesses to prepare, maintain, maintain and implement a written Preventive Control plan (PCP) that explains how hazards and risks to food will be addressed.

Q：What categories are processed foods within the CFIA system?

A：Alcoholic beverages, non-alcoholic beverages, confectionery, sweeteners, snack foods, fats, oils, food chemicals, grain-derived foods, infant formula, breast milk fortifiers, nuts, seeds, spices, herbs, seasonings or condiments.

Q：SFCR requires certain information to be submitted to the CFIA prior to importation. How long in advance should this information be provided?

A：Import information can be submitted electronically to the Canada Border Services Agency via Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) at any time prior to the entry of the goods into Canada - up to 3 months prior to import.

Please note that the information submitted prior to importation must be accurate when entering Canada.

Q：Can I import food that does not meet SFCR requirements?

A：Agreed. Non-compliant food can be imported if the following conditions are met:

①Food labeled "for further preparation only" or"Pour conditionnement ultérieur seulement”；

②If you bring the food into compliance within 3 months of its arrival in Canada;

This exemption does not apply to meat goods.