SFC Licence & SFCR Applicability
Importing food is one of the activities covered by the SFCR preventive-control framework. The business should confirm applicable licensing and food-specific requirements before importing.
Calgary, Alberta
Food Importer Compliance Consultant Calgary | CFIA & SFCR
CFIA and SFCR compliance support for Calgary food importers managing licensing, foreign suppliers, preventive controls, PCPs, traceability, labels and records.
Importers are responsible for ensuring the food they bring into Canada meets applicable Canadian requirements. Because the product may be manufactured outside Canada, importer controls must often focus on supplier assurance, specifications, records and verification.
Food Import Compliance Is More Than Customs Clearance
Food importers need to consider food safety, licensing, preventive controls, labelling, traceability, complaints and recalls in addition to logistics and customs processes.
Importer Preventive Control Plans
Where a written PCP is required, the importer should document how imported food is kept safe, how consumer-protection requirements are met, how controls are verified and how implementation records are maintained.
Foreign Supplier Controls
CFIA importer guidance requires PCPs to describe assurances that foreign suppliers have preventive controls and a food-safety system capable of managing the relevant hazards.
Hazard Identification & Product Specifications
Importers should understand biological, chemical and physical hazards associated with the food and what controls are used by the supplier.
Verification of Imported Food
Verification may include supplier documentation, certificates, testing, inspection history, product specifications or other evidence appropriate to the product and supplier risk.
Traceability, Complaints & Recall Records
Importers have recordkeeping responsibilities that can include traceability, complaints and recalls. These records should be organized and retrievable.
Canadian Food Labelling
Imported products must meet applicable Canadian labelling requirements, which may include common names, ingredients, allergens, net quantity, bilingual information and other product-specific elements.
CFIA Inspection Preparation
Importer readiness should include organized PCP documentation where required, foreign supplier evidence, verification records, traceability, complaint and recall procedures and corrective actions.
What You May Receive
Depending on scope, services can include an importer gap assessment, PCP review or development, foreign supplier checklist, records review, label-gap assessment, traceability review and inspection-readiness action plan.
Areas We Can Help Review
- SFC licence applicability
- Preventive Control Plan requirements
- Foreign supplier food safety controls
- Product specifications and hazard information
- Verification of imported-food controls
- Traceability records
- Complaint and recall procedures
- Canadian labelling requirements
- Record retention
- CFIA inspection readiness
- Corrective action when imported food does not meet requirements
Frequently Asked Questions
Do food importers need an SFC licence?
Food importers are subject to the SFCR import framework, but exact requirements can depend on the food and activity. The applicable licensing rules should be confirmed before import.
Does every importer need a written PCP?
Not necessarily. Written PCP requirements depend on the activity and any exceptions that apply. Applicability should be confirmed for the specific import operation.
What must an importer PCP cover?
For applicable importers, the PCP addresses food hazards and controls, verification, implementation records, foreign supplier assurances and applicable consumer-protection requirements.
Can you review foreign supplier documentation?
Yes. We can help organize and review supplier food-safety evidence within the agreed scope.
Can you help with imported product labels?
Yes, where Canadian food-labelling review is within the confirmed expertise and scope.
Can you prepare us for a CFIA inspection?
Yes. We can provide independent inspection-readiness support and help address identified gaps.
Food importers remain responsible for the safety of the food they import and for the Canadian requirements that apply to that activity. Importer PCPs, where required, must be tailored to the specific foods, foreign suppliers and import process.