One of the most common questions we hear from small food businesses is: “Do I need a CFIA licence?”
The answer is really dependent on where you are selling your product.
In Canada, a CFIA (Canadian Food Inspection Agency) licence is required under the Safe Food for Canadians Regulations (SFCR) whenever you:
- Import food into Canada (including your ingredients)
- Export food outside of Canada
- Manufacturing food and sell across provincial borders
- Certain regulated commodities
If you are making and selling food only within your province, you may not need a CFIA licence right away. Many early-stage businesses operate under local public health requirements instead. Or, when working with regulated commodities (like meat, dairy, fish, and eggs), you may be governed by a provincial regulatory body such as OMAFRA in Ontario.
Remember, things change quickly as you grow.
A CFIA licence often becomes required the moment you:
- Sell online across provinces
- Get picked up by a national retailer
- Work with distributors
- Plan to export
It’s also important to understand that a CFIA licence isn’t just a form. It requires a Preventive Control Plan (PCP) to be in place. This is the collection of policies, procedures and records you have in place to manage food safety risks. Some key components include maintaining traceability and a Recall Plan, cleaning procedures and record keeping, allergen management and more. You can read about the requirements on the CFIA website.
Our advice: Don’t wait until you need it urgently. If growth is part of your plan, start building your food safety foundation early so you’re ready when the opportunity comes.
Author: Lisa Cove is a Certified Packaging Professional, Food Safety expert and owner of Shelf Ready Inc. She is passionate about all things food and packaging. Throughout her career, she has worked with brands like Ferrero, Kinder, Nutella, and Tic Tac, as well as many private-label brands. Her experience as a Professor of Food Safety and Traceability at Fanshawe College, coupled with her packaging expertise, has given her a unique perspective to share with foodpreneurs.