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What to consider before applying for a Safe Food for Canadians licence

Annual adjustment

Canadian Food Inspection Agency fees are updated annually on March 31 based on the Consumer Price Index. Learn more about adjusting service fees for inflation.

On this page

1.0 Introduction

The Safe Food for Canadians Regulations (SFCR) are now in force, including requirements related to food licences. The Canadian Food Inspection Agency's (CFIA) licensing system grants licences to a person to conduct specific activities relating to food.

To find out if your business requires a licence, use the following information resources:

If you need a licence and you are ready to apply, review the information outlined in this document, including the 2 annexes. It will help you prepare for the application process.

2.0 Getting a Safe Food for Canadians licence

Complete the following 4 steps to get a Safe Food for Canadians licence (SFC licence).

Step 1: create an account in My CFIA

The first step in preparing to apply for a SFC licence is to visit My CFIA to create an account and business profile. The licence application is available online at My CFIA.

Through My CFIA your business can request licences and export certificates, as well as set up electronic payments.

When enrolling in My CFIA, you can create 1 or more profiles for your business. Learn more about setting up your profile on our web page Before you sign up for My CFIA.

Step 2: determine your licence structure

The SFCR does not limit the number of licences a person can hold. You can operate under a single licence or multiple licences, depending on what fits your business needs.

Before deciding how many licences to request in your application consider the following:

Additional considerations for food businesses that prepare food for export, export food and need a certificate or wish to be on an export eligibility list

Examples of licence structures

The scenarios below provide examples of different licence structures. Other structures may be considered.

Refer to Annex A for definitions and examples of the food commodities you need to choose from when completing the licence application. Refer to Annex B for descriptions of licensable activities under the SFCR.

Example A: 1 licence to cover all activities and food commodities occurring at 1 establishment. Therefore, if you operate several establishments at different physical locations, you obtain a licence for each physical location.

Note: this structure is recommended.

Example B: 1 licence for each activityFootnote 1 you conduct. Therefore, you could have multiple licences for 1 establishment if you conduct a variety of activities at that location.

Note: this structure is not advisable if you export food.

Example C: 1 licence to cover all activities you conduct in a certain food commodity. Therefore you could have multiple licences for 1 establishment if you conduct activities on a variety of different food commodities at that location.

Note: this structure is not advisable if you export food.

Step 3: complete the licence application

Now that you are ready to apply for a licence, make sure you have all the necessary details of your business. When filling out the application for each licence, you must do all of the following:

You can find the online application in your My CFIA account, under the Service Request tab.

Keep in mind

You will need an approved work shift agreement for activities relating to meat products and slaughtering food animals.

Slaughter of food animals and the production of their derived meat products are activities that inherently carry more risk. Because of this, they require regular or sustained oversight.

If you conduct these activities, you must have inspection services and a work shift agreement with CFIA in order to qualify for an SFC licence. The document Regulatory Requirement: Inspection services for Food Animals and Meat Products provides an overview of the regulatory requirements on work shifts, inspection stations and minimum number of hours of inspection.

Step 4: receive your licence

After you submit your completed online application and payment, you will receive an electronic message indicating 1 of the following:

In the case of option b), some establishments may have to be inspected before an SFC licence can be issued.

3.0 Making changes to a Safe Food for Canadians licence

It is the responsibility of a person regulated under the Safe Food for Canadians Act (SFCA) to ensure that they comply with all applicable requirements of the SFCA and the SFCR, including licensing requirements.

3.1 Amending your licence: changes in activities, food commodities or establishments

Once you have a licence, it is important to remember that it covers the activity, location and food commodity you have entered in your application, as indicated on the licence. Any time this information changes, an amendment to your licence is required.

This means you must:

For example, if you want to conduct activities in a new food commodity, you are required to have that new food commodity added to the scope of your licence. You can request an amendment to your licence online through your My CFIA account. Licence amendments are not subject to any fee.

Refer to Regulatory Requirements: Licensing for more information, including section 4.0 Conditions for the issuance, renewal or amendment of a licence.

3.2 New licence requirements: changing your business structure or selling your business

Your SFC licence is not transferable (SFCA, Subsection 20(5)). An SFC licence is issued specifically to a person (for example, an individual or business) who is identified in the SFC licence application. The person named in the licence must always be the same person who conducts the activity(ies) authorized in the licence. As a licence holder, it is your responsibility to determine whether a particular change, including a sale or change in ownership, change in controlling shareholders, amalgamation, or other change related to the business, results in a change to the "person" holding the licence.

If you are unsure whether a change in your business structure will result in a change to the "person" holding the SFC licence such that a new SFC licence is required, you may wish to consult a lawyer or other professionals who specialize in this area. Additionally, the Canada Revenue Agency provides guidance on change of legal status that may assist you in determining whether a particular change in your business results in a change to the person identified in the licence.

Depending on the circumstances, you may need to amend or surrender your existing licence to appropriately reflect the change. If you determine the change amounts to a different person holding the licence, a new SFC licence would be required for the new person to conduct the activities set out in the licence. To apply for a new licence the new person should refer to My CFIA – User guidance.

4.0 Additional information

Refer to CFIA Licensing for more information on this topic. If you have questions, contact us or call 1-800-442-2342.

Annex A – Food commodities identified in the licence application

When applying for a Safe Food for Canadians licence (SFC licence), you will be asked to identify the foods you are responsible for by choosing from a list of food commodities and sub-commodities. It is important to select the correct food commodity and sub-commodity so that your licence accurately reflects your business. Examples of foods that fall within each of these commodities are explained in the tables below. You do not need to select commodities to cover the ingredients you use in your products. For example, you would not select "eggs" or "dairy" to cover the ingredients used in your "cream filled doughnuts".

In order to assist food importers and brokers, the tables below also provide examples of the Harmonized System (HS) chapters where foods in each sub-commodity may be found. Food importers are required to declare an HS code, as well as a CFIA Other Government Department (OGD) extension, on their food import declaration that accurately reflects the food they intend to import.

Keep in mind

The commodity and sub-commodity titles found in the SFC licence application do not use the same definitions found within the Safe Food for Canadians Regulations (SFCR). In most cases, these categories are broader than the SFCR definitions and standards of identity.

Commodity: dairy

Select this box if the food you are responsible for is milk, derived from milk or contains milk based fats. Milk, milk derivatives, and milk fats can be derived from mammals (such as cows, buffalos, goats, sheep, camels).

Do not select this box if the food you are responsible for includes vegan dairy substitutes for dairy products that do not contain dairy ingredients, such as soy or almond beverages. For these products, select the "Manufactured foods" category.

Sub-commodities to be identified under dairy

The sub-commodities identified in the dairy commodity can also include milk products that are dried, cultured, condensed, or frozen.

Composite dairy products include dairy products that are mixed with other foods, but still recognized by the consumer as a dairy product.

Dairy substitutes may be used by the consumer in place of dairy products but contain ingredients derived from dairy products (for example, caseinates).

Dairy drinks are a category of dairy based beverages, such as flavoured milk, smoothies and egg nog.

Examples of sub-commodities to be identified under dairy
Sub-commodity Examples Examples of HS chapters for importingFootnote 2
Butter/butterfat cultured butter, ghee, salted butter, unsalted butter, light butter, whey butter 04.05
By-products whey, casein, caseinates 04.04
35.01, 35.02, 35.04
Cheese creamed, hard, processed and soft cheeses such as cheddar, creamed cheese, mozzarella, paneer and their products (such as crumbled, shredded, sliced) 04.06
Composite dairy products dairy products mixed with other food commodities, such as fruits or vegetables, that are recognized as a dairy product (such as onion and garlic cream cheese, smoked salmon flavoured cream cheese), cranberry goat cheese, cheese balls or logs containing nuts or fruits 04.06
21.01, 21.05.00, 21.06.90
Cultured dairy products crème fraîche, kefir, sour cream (includes flavoured sour cream), yoghurt (with or without fruit or other toppings) 04.03
Dairy drinks chocolate milk, strawberry milk, milkshakes, smoothies, yoghurt drink, egg nog, buttermilk 18.06
19.01
22.02.99
Dried milk powder skim-milk powder, buttermilk powder, chocolate milk powder, malted milk powder, flavoured milk powder 04.02
Evaporated/condensed products 2%, whole evaporated milk, sweetened condensed milk 04.02
19.01
Frozen dairy/novelties ice-cream, frozen yoghurt, ice cream cakes, ice cream sandwiches, frozen dairy dessert, sherbet, gelato, ice milk mixes, frozen dairy dessert mixes 18.06.90
19.01.90
21.05
Milk/cream whole milk, 2% milk, 1% milk, skim milk, 10% cream, half and half, whipping cream 04.01 – 04.03
Dairy substitutes dairy spreads, coffee whitener 04.05
19.01

Commodity: egg

Select this box if the foods you are responsible for include shell eggs, processed eggs or composite egg products.

While the majority of eggs and egg products in Canada are from domestic chickens (Gallus domesticus) and domestic turkeys (Melagris gallopavo), this category also includes eggs from other species, such as duck or quail eggs.

Do not select this box if the food you are responsible for includes balut, which is a fertilized duck egg. For this product select the "Manufactured food" category.

Sub-commodities to be identified under egg

Shell egg is the sub-commodity used for egg products that are still in their shell. These eggs may be pasteurized provided they meet the criteria in section 95 of the Safe Food for Canadians Regulations.

Processed egg products can be in dried, pickled, frozen or liquid form, cooked or uncooked. Processed egg products can be made of the whole egg, or the separate egg yolk and egg white components and may or may not contain other ingredients.

Composite egg products are foods that contain eggs and a variety of other ingredients, but are commonly recognized by consumers as a food that is egg-based.

Examples of sub-commodities to be identified under egg
Sub-commodity Examples Examples of HS chapters for importingFootnote 2
Composite egg products eggs mixed with other commodities (such as dairy and vegetables) and recognized as an egg product such as frozen breakfast egg sandwiches, egg salad, egg salad mixed with potatoes and vegetables, omelette mix, quiche, egg patties 19.05.90
21.06.90
Processed eggs dried, frozen, liquid eggs (whole eggs, egg whites (egg albumen) and egg yolks), hard boiled eggs, pickled eggs 04.07, 04.08, 04.10
35.02
Shell eggs graded and ungraded eggs in shell, eggs pasteurized in shell 04.07, 04.10

Commodity: fish and seafood

Select this box if the food you are responsible for is a fish or seafood or any marine mammals, amphibians or reptiles.

Sub-commodities to be identified under fish and seafood

Chordates is a sub-commodity used for sharks, skates (rays) and their by-products.

Finfish is a sub-commodity that also includes non-finfish species, such as cuttlefish, octopus and squid.

Foods derived from amphibians, reptiles, and marine mammals, including their by-products, are included in these 2 sub-categories.

Composite fish and seafood products include a wide variety of foods that contain fish or seafood products mixed with other foods but are commonly recognized by consumers as a food that is fish or seafood based.

Examples of sub-commodities to be identified under fish and seafood
Sub-commodity Examples Examples of HS chapters for importingFootnote 2
Amphibians (and reptiles) alligators, crocodiles, frogs, turtles, snakes any of their parts and products 02.08.50, 02.10.93
16.01
Chordates sharks, skates (rays), any of their parts, products and by-products 03.01 – 03.05
16.04
21.04
Composite fish and seafood products fish and seafood products mixed with other food commodities (such as dairy, vegetables and grain products) and recognized as a fish product such as bacon wrapped scallops, shrimp rolls, shrimp spring rolls, sushi rolls, fish cakes, seafood lasagna, shrimp pad thai, lobster mac and cheese, seafood chowder, fish sauce, seafood or fish stuffing 16.05
19.02, 19.04, 19.05
20.05
21.03, 21.04
Crustaceans lobsters, crabs, shrimp, crayfish, crawfish, rock lobsters, scampi, any of their parts, products and by-products such as cooked whole lobster, cooked crabmeat, cooked lobster claws, cooked shrimp, canned crabmeat, lobster cocktail, lobster tomalley, lobster paste, breaded shrimp, shrimp cocktail, barnacles 03.05, 03.06
15.06
16.03, 16.05
19.02
21.03.90, 21.04.10
Echinoderms  sea urchins and sea cucumbers, any of their parts, products and by-products 03.08
16.05
Finfish ground fish and flat fish such as anchovy, basa, catfish, cod, croaker, eels, flounder, gourami, haddock, halibut, hake, herring, kingfish, mackerel, mudfish, mullet, perch, pickerel, pike, pollock, rockfish, salmon, sardine, scad, seabass, seabream, smelt, snapper, sole, sturgeon, tilapia, trout, tuna, turbot, wahoo, walleye and whiting
finfish products and by-products such as fish oil, caviar, fish eggs (roe), fish sticks, kamaboko, minced fish, smoked salmon and surimi
this category also includes fish that don't have fins such as cuttlefish, octopus, squid, any of their parts
03.01 – 03.05
15.04
16.03, 16.04
Gastropods abalone, conches, loco, periwinkles, snails (marine and terrestrial), whelks, any of their parts and products 03.07
16.05
Marine mammals seals, whales, any of their parts, products and by-products (such as seal oil) 02.08.40, 02.10.92, 02.10.99
15.04.30
Bivalve molluscs clams, cockles, geoducks, mussels, oysters, scallops, any of their parts, products and by-products such as breaded scallops, canned baby clams, canned oysters, cooked mussels, frozen scallop meat 03.07
16.03

Commodity: fresh fruits and vegetables

Select this box if the food you are responsible for includes fresh fruits or vegetables that are whole, washed, sliced, peeled, grated or cut.

It is important to distinguish this category from the "processed fruits or vegetables" category. Generally, a fruit or vegetable is considered "fresh" and not "processed" if it can degrade or rot during storage (dry storage or refrigerated).

Do not select this box if the food you are responsible for includes dried herbs. For this product select the "manufactured foods" category.

Do not select this box if the food you are responsible for includes fruits or vegetables that have been further processed. For this product select the "processed fruits or vegetables" category.

Examples of sub-commodities to be identified under fresh fruits and vegetables
Sub-commodity Examples Examples of HS chapters for importingFootnote 2
Fresh fruits whole, washed, sliced, cored, peeled, grated, chopped or cut fresh fruits such as apples, bananas, berries, citrus, coconuts, melons, pineapples, rhubarb, peaches and plums, fresh fruit products (such as fresh fruit salad), wild harvest fruits 08.01, 08.03 – 08.10, 08.14
Fresh vegetables whole, washed, sliced, peeled, grated or cut fresh vegetables such as broccoli, cauliflower, brussels sprouts, fresh herbs, leafy greens (such as romaine lettuce, green leaf lettuce, red leaf lettuce, butter lettuce, escarole, spring mix, spinach, cabbage, kale, chard, arugula, bok choy), mushrooms, root vegetables (such as garlic, ginger, onion, carrots, potatoes, sweet potatoes, turnips), microgreens, sprouts and fresh vegetable products (such as prepared salads and salad kits), wild harvest vegetables 07.01 – 07.09, 07.14

Commodity: honey and honey products

Select this box if the food you are responsible is honey or honey products. All honey and honey products fall under this single commodity box. These foods may or may not be subject to standards of identity or grades set out in the Safe Food for Canadians Regulations and Food and Drug Regulations.

The foods found in the honey sub-commodities may contain other ingredients but are still recognized by the consumer as a honey product.

Do not select this box for apiculture products other than honey or honey products. For other apiculture products, such as bee pollen or propolis, select the "Manufactured foods" category.

Examples of honey and honey products sub-commodities
Sub-commodity Examples Examples of HS chapters for importingFootnote 2
Honey and honey products liquid raw or pasteurized honey, whipped honey spread, honey in the comb, powdered honey, honey jelly 04.09
21.06

Commodity: manufactured foods

Select this box if the food you are responsible for is an alcoholic beverage, non-alcoholic beverage, confectionary, sweeteners, snack food, fats, oils, food chemical, a food derived from grains, infant food, nuts, seeds, spices, herbs, seasoning or condiment.

Sub-commodities to be identified under manufactured foods

Alcoholic beverage is the sub-commodity used for all beverages that contain more than 0.5% absolute ethyl alcohol by volume. Mixed alcoholic beverages, aperitifs and liqueurs are included in this category.

Confectionary, sweeteners, snack foods and non-bakery desserts is a sub-commodity that includes a wide variety of foods. This sub-commodity is used for candies, sweets, and gum. It includes sweeteners like sugar, molasses and corn syrup and non-dairy based iced novelties such as popsicles and freezies. Snack foods include potato chips and corn chips. Desserts included in this category are sugar-based desserts.

Do not select this box for grain-based desserts. Grain-based desserts are part of the "Grain derived foods" category.

Fats and oils derived from plants are found in this sub-commodity category.

Do not select this box for animal based fats and oils (rendered fat, suet, lard/shortening, tallow, etc.). Animal based fats are found in the Meat and poultry products commodity list.

Food chemicals are often used as food ingredients; they are not typically consumed on their own. This category includes food chemicals used for vitamins, minerals, artificial sweeteners, food additives and many other uses. Food additives are considered to be those listed on Health Canada's Lists of permitted food additives. Please note this category does not include stand-alone vitamin or mineral supplements such as those sold in pill form, but rather those vitamins and minerals produced as ingredients or additives to food.

"Foods not otherwise listed" is the sub-commodity used for foods that cannot be categorized into the other sub-commodities listed under "Manufactured foods". It includes foods made from insects, such as cricket flour, dried mealworms and roasted crickets. Foods such as collagen casings, gelatins, and balut are in this sub-commodity.

Grain derived foods is a category used for foods that are made from processed grains, such as wheat, rice, oats, barley or corn. Foods made from processed grains include a wide variety of pastas, cereals, and breads, as well as a variety of grain-based desserts such as cakes, cookies, pastries, pies and muffins.

Infant foods include human milk fortifiers, infant formula (either dairy-based formula, or non-dairy based formula), such as ready to serve liquid formulas, concentrated liquid formulas, or powdered formula products that can be blended with water and/or milk before consumption.

Do not select this box for foods for infants that consist of other commodity groups.

For example:

Note: When applying for an SFC licence, manufacturers of infant formula and human milk fortifiers should be aware that these foods may not be sold or advertised for sale in Canada until the manufacturer has submitted a notification to Health Canada in accordance with the requirements of Part B, Division 25 of the Food and Drug Regulations (FDR). Under the FDR, a premarket notification is required for any infant formula or human milk fortifier that is new, or that has undergone a major change. Following Health Canada's review and acceptance of the submission, a letter will be issued by Health Canada to the manufacturer of the infant formula or human milk fortifier which will permit the sale or advertising for sale of the food.

CFIA will request a copy of the letter issued by Health Canada as part of verifying that the requirements of subsection 29(1) of the SFCR are met before an SFC licence will be issued or amended.

For further information on preparing premarket submissions for infant formulas and human milk fortifiers, refer to Health Canada's Guidance documents: Infant formula and human milk fortifiers.

Multiple foods is the sub-commodity that contains food made from multiple commodities, such as vegetarian pizza or sandwiches that do not contain meat. This sub-commodity also includes foods used in liquid diets, meal replacements, protein drinks and nutritional supplements.

Do not select this box for foods that contain more than 2% meat ingredients. For foods containing a significant quantity of meat ingredients select the "Composite meat products" category.

Do not select this box for natural health products. Natural health products are not subject to the SFCR.

Non-alcoholic beverages include a wide variety of drinks. These beverages can be made from soy, coconuts, coffee, or tea. It also includes dry powders or liquid flavour concentrates that are intended to be added to liquid to make a non-alcoholic beverage. This sub-commodity also includes soft drinks, carbonated drinks, and water (including flavoured water).

Do not select this box for non-alcoholic beverages made from fruits or vegetables, such as juice, concentrated juice, or frozen concentrated juice. These foods can be found in the "Processed fruits or vegetables" category.

Nuts, grains, seeds can be raw, roasted, seasoned, or smoked. This sub-commodity also includes foods made from processing nuts, grains or seeds into other products, such as nut butters, ground seeds, or vegan substitutes.

Do not select this box for pulses that are frozen or packed in hermetically sealed packages (such as frozen or canned chickpeas, lentils, faba beans). For these foods use the "Processed fruits and vegetables" commodity and the "Processed vegetables" sub-commodity.

Spices, herbs, flavours, condiments, dressings is the sub-commodity for foods that are typically used to complement, season or add flavour to another food. They can be used as an ingredient in a food, added after a food is prepared, or used to accompany a food (for example, in a sauce). Spices are typically derived from flowers, seeds, fruits, roots, bark or nuts of a plant. Herbs are the dried leaves of herbaceous plants.

Do not select this box for fresh herbs. For these foods use the "Fresh fruits or vegetables" category.

Do not select this box for ketchup, chutneys and other diced or pureed fruits and vegetables. For these products use the "Processed fruits or vegetables" category.

Vegan dairy substitutes is the sub-commodity for foods which are suitable for a vegan diet. These foods do not contain dairy products or dairy derivatives.

Examples of sub-commodities to be identified under manufactured foods
Sub-commodity Examples Examples of HS chapters for importingFootnote 2
Alcoholic beverages aperitifs, beer, ciders, liqueurs, pre-mixed drinks, spirits, wine (fortified grape or non-grape) 22.03 – 22.08
Confectionary, sweeteners, snack foods (containing or not containing nuts), non-bakery desserts candies, chocolates (such as cocoa powder), cake decorations, marshmallows, corn syrup, birch syrup, table syrup, gum, molasses, halva, sugar, sweets, candy apples, dried coconut (sweetened or unsweetened), sweetened banana chips, popcorn, gelatin desserts, custard (including dry mix), frosting, popsicles, freezies, potato chips, corn chips, pudding (including dry mix) 17.01 – 17.04
18.01 – 18.06
19.04 – 19.05
20.05, 20.08
21.05 – 21.06
Fats and oils fats and oils obtained from plants, such as avocado oil, canola oil, coconut oil, corn oil, flaxseed oil, grapeseed oil, olive oil, peanut oil, sesame oil, soybean oil, sunflower oil, vegetable oil, margarine, vegetable shortening, essential oils 15.07 – 15.17,
15.20 – 15.21
31.01
Food chemicals amino acids, vitamins, minerals, flavour enhancers, food additives (such as anticaking agents, artificial sweeteners, colouring agents, dough conditioning agents, emulsifying agents, firming agents, food enzymes, glazing agents, pH adjusting agents, preservatives, sequestering agents), food grade alcohol, malt extract, baking soda, baking powder 13.01, 13.02
19.01
21.02
28
29
Foods not otherwise listed cricket flour, dried mealworms, roasted crickets, balut, collagen casings, seaweeds and algae, bacterial culture, yeast, ice, granita, konjac noodles, bee pollen, propolis, simulated meat products, simulated poultry products, plant-based protein foods 12.12
14.04
20.08
21.02, 21.06
22.01
35.04
Grain derived foods barley flour, breads, bread products (such as chapatti, bagels, rusks), cakes (such as carrot cake, chocolate mousse cake, cheesecake), cereal, pasta (fresh, frozen or dried), cookies, croissants, doughnuts, dried grains, instant oats, millet, muffins, rice, wheat germ, tart or pie shells, pastries, alimentary paste, corn starch, pitas, tortillas, pizza shells, pizza crusts, cake mixes, cereal- and grain-based infant foods 10.01 – 10.08
11.01 – 11.09
19.01 – 19.05
21.04, 21.06.90
Infant foods ready to serve liquid formulas, concentrated liquid formulas, powdered formula products that can be blended with water and/or milk before consumption, human milk fortifiers 19.01.10
21.06.90
Multiple Foods nutritional supplements, protein drinks, sports nutrition, prepared vegetarian meals, sandwiches, formulated liquid diets, meal replacements, vegetarian pizza (frozen or refrigerated), perogies, vegetarian samosas, vegetable soups 21.04.10, 21.06.90
Non-alcoholic beverages carbonated beverages, flavoured water, coffee, tea, kombucha, coconut water, soy beverages, soft drinks, drink powders or liquid fruit flavour concentrates for making drinks, oat beverage, coconut beverage 09.01 – 09.03
20.09
21.01
22.01 – 22.02
Nuts, grains, seeds raw, roasted, salted, smoked nuts such as almonds, cashews, hazelnuts, peanuts, pecans, pistachios, walnuts and their products (such as peanut butter, almond butter, almond beverage, tree nut butters
seeds such as chia seeds, flaxseeds, sunflower seeds, hemp seeds, quinoa, sesame seeds and their products (such as ground flax seeds, soy nut butter, sunflower seed butter), tahini, tofu, a vegan "plant-based cashew product", pulses that are not frozen or packed in hermetically sealed packages (such as dried peas, lentils, chickpeas, faba beans), coffee beans, cocoa beans
07.13
08.01 – 08.02,
08.11 – 08.13
09.01
12.02, 12.04 – 12.10, 12.13
18.01
20.01, 20.06 – 20.08
21.06
22.02
Spices, herbs, flavours, condiments, dressings dried herbs, gravy, mayonnaise, mustard, salad dressing, flavoured oils, soya sauce, spices, salt, pepper, Worcestershire sauce, vinegar, savoury spreads made from yeast extract 07.12
09.04 – 09.10
12.11
21.03, 21.06
22.02, 22.09
25.01
Vegan dairy substitutes a vegan "plant-based (coconut or soy) product", hemp protein 20.08
21.06
22.02

Commodity: maple and maple products

Select this box if the food you are responsible is maple and maple products. All maple and maple products are within this single commodity box. These foods may or may not be subject to standards of identity or grades set out in the Safe Food for Canadians Regulations and Food and Drug Regulations.

The foods found in the maple sub-commodity may contain other ingredients but are still recognized by the consumer as a maple product.

Do not select this box for foods made from other tree species, such as birch syrup. For these products select the "Manufactured foods" commodity, "Confectionary, sweeteners, snack foods, and non-bakery desserts" sub-commodity category.

Examples of sub-commodities to be identified as maple and maple products
Food sub-commodity Examples Examples of HS chapters for importingFootnote 2
Maple and maple products maple syrup, maple sugar, maple butter, maple candy, maple taffy, maple jelly 17.02
20.07

Commodity: meat and poultry products

Select this box if the food you are responsible for is derived from a food animal.

Do not select this box for foods derived from marine mammals, amphibians or reptiles. For these products, you should select the "Fish and seafood" category.

Sub-commodities to be identified under meat and poultry products

There are several sub-commodities of food animals which are based on the wide variety of domesticated animals and game animals used as food. The various meat and poultry sub-commodities include the meat derived from the animals associated with that sub-commodity, as well as any of their parts or products. This means that the meat and poultry products can be a variety of cuts, ground meat, marinated meat, or further processed into luncheon meat, sausage, broths, animal fats and oils (such as lard/shortening, tallow), meat flavours and extracts, and meat gravies and flavours.

Composite meat products include foods that are mixed with other ingredients. These foods are made up of more than 2% meat ingredients, which may trigger SFCR requirements that would not otherwise apply to the food, such as a work shift agreement.

Game animals are hunted, wild animals, for which permission is granted by a competent authority to hunt the animal for commercial use.

Farmed game animals and farmed game birds are food animals that are historically considered "wild" but have been raised for food production and transported to an abattoir for traditional slaughter with stunning.

Examples of sub-commodities to be identified under meat and poultry products
Sub-commodity Examples Examples of HS chapters for importingFootnote 2
Bovine (beef, bison and veal) beef, bison and veal or any of their parts (such as chops, ground meat, organs, roasts, edible offal) and products such as broth, corned beef, lunch meat, meatballs, sausage 02.01, 02.02, 02.06, 02.10
05.04
15.02, 15.17
16.01 – 16.03
Caprine (goat) goat, any of its parts (such as ground meat, roasts, edible offal) and its products such as marinated meat, sausages 02.04, 02.06, 02.10
05.04
15.02, 15.17
16.01, 16.02
Cervidae farmed elk, deer, any of their parts (such as edible offal) and products 02.08, 02.10
05.04
15.17
16.01, 16.02
Composite meat products containing a non-meat animal origin ingredient foods containing more than 2% meat (calculated on the basis of the cooked weight of the product) mixed with other food commodities such as vegetables and grain products;
meat pies (tourtière), meat spaghetti sauce, beef stews, meat pizza (frozen or refrigerated), chicken lasagna, frozen meals containing meat; broths, flavours and extracts of meat origin
07.05, 07.09
15.17, 15.18
16.01, 16.02
19.01, 19.02, 19.04, 19.05
20.04, 20.05
21.03, 21.04, 21.06.90
Equine horses, asses, mules, hinnies, any of their parts (such as ground meat, steaks, roasts, edible offal) and products (such as marinated meat, sausages) 02.05, 02.06, 02.10
05.04
15.06, 15.17, 15.18
16.01, 16.02
Farmed game farm raised game animals, such as bison, musk ox, elk, reindeer, caribou, antelope, deer, any of their parts and products 02.01, 02.02, 02.06, 02.08, 02.10
05.04
15.17, 15.18
16.01, 16.02
Farmed game bird farm raised game birds, such as partridge, pheasant, pigeon (squab), quail, any of their parts and products 02.08, 02.10
15.17, 15.18
16.01, 16.02
Game hunted wild game animals, such as caribou, musk ox, reindeer, any of their parts and products 02.01 – 02.03, 02.06, 02.08, 02.10
05.04
15.17, 15.18
16.01, 16.02
Ovine (Sheep, lamb and mutton) sheep, lamb and mutton, any of its parts (such as ground meat, lamb chops, rack of lamb, roasts) and its products (such as marinated meat, sausages) 02.04, 02.06, 02.10
05.04
15.02, 15.17, 15.18
16.01, 16.02
Porcine (Pork) any of its parts (such as chops, ground meat, ribs, roasts) and its products (such as bacon, creton, cured/dried sausage, ham, headcheese, hotdogs, and sausage), pork rinds 02.03, 02.06, 02.09, 02.10
05.04, 05.11
15.01, 15.17, 15.18
16.01 – 16.03
Poultry chicken, cornish hen, duck, goose, guinea fowl, turkey, any of their parts (such as breast, legs, liver) and their products such as breaded chicken strips, broth, meatballs, pâté, sausage, smoked breast 02.07, 02.10
05.04
15.01, 15.17, 15.18
16.01 – 16.03
Rabbit rabbit, hare, any of its parts (such as edible offal) and products 02.08, 02.10
15.17, 15.18
16.01, 16.02
Ratites emu, ostrich, rhea, any of their parts (such as edible offal) and products 02.06, 02.08, 02.10
15.01, 15.17, 15.18
16.01, 16.02

Commodity: processed fruits and vegetables

Select this box if the food you are responsible for is made from a fruit or vegetable that has been processed to create a refrigerated, frozen or shelf stable food. The processes applied to these foods most often are (but not limited to): cooking, freezing, drying, pickling, canning (hermitically sealed package), pureeing, or juicing.

Sub-commodities to be identified under processed fruits and vegetables

The foods found in the processed fruits or processed vegetable sub-commodities may contain a variety of other ingredients and may or may not be subject to standards of identity or grades set out in the Safe Food for Canadians Regulations and Food and Drug Regulations. Many of these foods were previously regulated by the Processed Products Regulations; however, similar foods made by processing fruits or vegetables that fell outside these former regulations are included within this commodity group now.

Examples of sub-commodities to be identified under processed fruits and vegetables
Sub-commodity Examples Examples of HS chapters for importingFootnote 2
Processed fruits apple sauce, fruits packed in hermetically sealed packages (such as cherries, fruit cocktail, fruit salad, fruit cups, peaches, pears, plums, sliced apples, strawberries), frozen fruits, sorbet, fruit juice, concentrated fruit juice, fruit juice from concentrate, and frozen concentrated fruit juice, fruit nectars, jams, jellies, fruit spread, fruit pie filling, fruit peel, marmalade, minced meat, dried fruits, fruit leathers 08.01, 08.03 – 08.06, 08.11 – 08.14
20.06 – 20.09
22.02.99
Processed vegetables vegetables packed in hermetically sealed packages (such as asparagus, beans, bean sprouts, beans with pork, beets, carrots, corn, cream style onions, creamed mushrooms, green beans, peas, potatoes, ketchup, legumes, lima beans, mixed vegetables, mushrooms, pumpkin, squash, sauerkraut, spinach, sweet potatoes, tomato (crushed, diced, paste, pulp, puree, sauce, stewed), chickpeas, lentils, and wax beans), frozen vegetables (such as peas, mushrooms, onions, spinach, squash, vegetable mixes/blends), frozen herbs, french-fried potatoes, vegetable juices, vegetable juice from concentrate, concentrated vegetable juice, chutney, horseradish, sauerkraut, olives, pickles (fresh or fermented), relishes, hummus, salsa, guacamole, dried vegetables 07.10 – 07.12, 07.14
20.01 – 20.06, 20.08, 20.09
21.03

Annex B – SFCR licensable activities

When applying for a Safe Food for Canadians licence (SFC licence), you will be asked to identify the activities that you conduct and for which you need a licence. It is important to select the correct activities so that your licence accurately reflects your business activities and needs.

The list of activities below reflects the activities available for selection in the SFC licence application. It is possible to do only domestic activities, or only international activities, or do both. It all depends on your business. While selecting your activities, think of other services you may require from CFIA. For example, requesting an export certificate from CFIA in order to meet the importing country's requirements would trigger the need for an SFC licence to export.

Refer to Food business activities that require a licence under the Safe Food for Canadians Regulations for more information on the specific activities that require a licence.

Keep in mind

For the purpose of the SFC licence application, the term "prepare" means to either:

  • manufacture, process, treat, preserve
  • grade
  • package
  • label
  • store (when you want an SFC licence to store food, other than imported meat products for the purpose of inspection by CFIA)

Licensable domestic activities

Activities carried out in a domestic establishment in Canada where:

Activity: preparing food for interprovincial trade

Select this box if the food you are preparing will be sent or conveyed to a different province.

For example, if your facility is located in Manitoba and is preparing food that is to be sent or conveyed to Ontario, select this option.

In the licence application, prepare means to manufacture, process, treat, preserve, grade, package or label. It also means to store if you want an SFC licence to store food or if you need one to satisfy requirements imposed by your buyers, sellers or the importing country. However, it excludes to store and handle imported meat for the purpose of inspection by CFIA since this activity is captured in the "Storing and handling imported meat products for the purpose of inspection" box below.

Activity: preparing food for export

Select this box if the food you are preparing in Canada will be sent or conveyed to a different country.

This is a domestic activity because it occurs within Canada.

If your business prepares a food in Canada that is destined for another country, select "Preparing food for export" under Licensable Domestic Activities.

Note: if your business in Canada also exports food, you should also select "Exporting food" under Licensable International Activities.

In the licence application, prepare means to manufacture, process, treat, preserve, grade, package or label. It also means to store if you want an SFC licence to store food or if you need one to satisfy requirements imposed by your buyers, sellers or the importing country. However, it excludes to store and handle imported meat for the purpose of inspection by CFIA since this activity is captured in the "Storing and handling imported meat products for the purpose of inspection" box below.

Activity: preparing food for intraprovincial trade where provincial regulations require a federal licence

Select this box if a provincial or territorial requirement states that you require a federal licence, even if the food you prepare does not leave the province.

You do not need an SFC licence to trade food within your province or to prepare food that will be sold or consumed in your province. However, you can get a licence if a provincial regulation states that you require a federal licence.

Commodities which may have such a requirement include dairy products, eggs, fish, fresh fruit or vegetables, honey, maple products, meat products, processed egg products, and processed fruit or vegetable products.

When you apply for your licence, you will be required to name the provincial or territorial regulation or policy that requires you to obtain a licence from CFIA.

Activity: slaughter of food animals for interprovincial trade

Select this box if you slaughter food animals to be sent or conveyed to a different province.

Slaughter activities include all the stages, procedures and processes conducted in the slaughter establishment during operations that directly affect the live animal prior to its death.

The SFCR defines food animal as a bird or mammal, other than a marine mammal, from which an edible meat product may be derived.

Note: you will need an approved work shift agreement for activities related to meat products and slaughtering food animals. Slaughter of food animals and the production of their derived meat products are activities that inherently carry more risk. Because of this, they require more regular and sustained oversight.

If you conduct these activities, you must have inspection services and a work shift agreement with the CFIA in order to qualify for an SFC licence. The document, Regulatory Requirements: Inspection services for Food Animals and Meet Products provides an overview of the regulatory requirements for work shifts, inspection stations and minimum number of hours of inspection.

Activity: slaughter of food animals for export

Select this box if you slaughter food animals in Canada for export.

Slaughter activities include all the stages, procedures and processes conducted in the slaughter establishment during operations that directly affect the live animal prior to its death.

The SFCR defines food animal as a bird or mammal, other than a marine mammal, from which an edible meat product may be derived.

Note: you will need an approved work shift agreement for activities related to meat products and slaughtering food animals. Slaughter of food animals and the production of their derived meat products are activities that inherently carry more risk. Because of this, they require more regular and sustained oversight.

If you conduct these activities, you must have inspection services and a work shift agreement with the CFIA in order to qualify for an SFC licence. The document, Regulatory Requirements: Inspection services for Food Animals and Meet Products provides an overview of the regulatory requirements for work shifts, inspection stations and minimum number of hours of inspection.

Activity: storing and handling imported meat products for the purpose of inspection

Select this box only if you are storing and handling imported meat at your establishment specifically for the purpose of CFIA inspection to ensure the meat products meet Canadian requirements.

When meat imported into Canada requires a CFIA inspection it must be immediately delivered to an establishment where the meat product will be stored and handled by a person who holds a licence to store and handle an edible meat product in its imported condition for inspection. In general terms, this phrase refers to preparing edible meat products for inspection by CFIA.

Select this option if you are a Canadian establishment that receives meat products that have been imported into Canada and you store and handle this meat for the purpose of inspection by CFIA.

Do not select this box if you are storing and handling imported meat at your establishment but you are not having meat inspected by CFIA.

For the full list of meat products exempt from this requirement, refer to Table 1 Understanding the meat product exceptions under section 25 of the SFCR.

Licensable international activities

Licensable international activities include:

You can choose to hire someone (such as a customs broker or freight forwarder) to facilitate the import process or export process by doing the paperwork, handling all transactions related to the food, or managing the shipping, however, it is the SFC licence holder who is responsible for ensuring they and the food they import or export meets Canadian requirements.

CFIA needs to deal with the SFC licence holder in the event of a recall or food safety complaint.

Activity: importing food

Select this box if you are bringing food into Canada from a foreign country.

To import a food ingredient for further preparation or processing or a finished food into Canada, select this option regardless of whether the food is in its final packaging.

For more information refer to Validation of the Safe Food for Canadians licence to import.

If you are located outside of Canada and are importing food into Canada, you can obtain an SFC licence under limited conditions. Please refer to the Non-Resident Importer section on CFIA's website to make sure you meet these conditions.

Activity: exporting food

Select this box if you are sending food from Canada to a foreign country.

Depending on the food commodity you export, the importing country may require an export certificate or other export documentation. CFIA can only issue the documentation if you have an SFC licence to export. This applies even if your sole activity is to export food as a seller or broker. It also applies if you prepared food for export and selected "Preparing food for export" under Licensable Domestic Activities.

Note: in accordance with existing procedures, meat trading companies and brokers will not need an export licence as CFIA will only issue meat export certificates to the licensed operator of the establishment.

Do not select this box if the food you prepare is not exported out of Canada.

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