Safe Food For Canadians (SFCR)

SFCR Regulartions Overview

SFCR Overview 2

SFCR Article 

 

Below are some questions that we had wanted CFIA to address for all of you.

  1. Can I sell my food products such as veggies or baked goods (breads, buns and cookies in BC or SK farmers’ markets?

In General, to sell food products outside the province they would have to manufactured, processed, treated, preserved, graded, packaged and/or labelled by a licence holder.

  1. How will the CFIA enforce the new regulations for food sold through direct-to-consumer market channels?

Enforcement actions, where applicable, are proportionate to the food safety risk and the seriousness of the non-compliance. Factors such as potential or actual harm, compliance history and intent are also taken into consideration. Please see the CFIA’s web Page titled, “Graduated enforcement of the Safe Food for Canadians Regulations as of January 15, 2019”

  1. If someone isn’t following the rules, how do I make a complaint to the CFIA?

Complaints can be submitted on the CFIA’s webpage titled, “Contact Us - Reporting a Food Safety or Labelling Concern”, or can be reported directly to your local CFIA Office.

  1. Will AHS refer non-compliance cases to the CFIA?

This would have to be answered by Alberta Health Services.

  1. If I am the recipient of a complaint and I am inspected by the CFIA what do I need to do to prove compliance? How long do I have to comply?

You can refer to CFIA’s infographic titled “What to Expect When Inspected” concerning the inspection. For enforcement timelines, this will depend on factors such as potential or actual harm, compliance history and intent as eluded to in question 2. See slide #27 for information on regulatory compliance.

  1. Are licenses required for all food operators? What is the cost and term of the license? Do I need to post proof of license when selling at farmers’ markets in the neighbouring province?

No, not all food operators require a licence. In general, if the operator is manufacturing, processing, treating, preserving, grading, packaging and/or labelling a food for export or interprovincial trade, or importing a food, they require a licence. Please see the resources on CFIA page titled “Food Licences” for further guidance on specific situations and whether a licence is required. CFIA does not require vendors to post proof of licence at farmers markets. The licence fee is $250 for 2 years. Licensing resources is available in slide #10.

  1. Do I need a preventive control plan? What are the components of the plan for a direct-to- consumer food vendor selling at a SK farmers’ market?

Please see the resources posted on CFIA’s webpage titled “ Preventive control plan (PCP)” for specifics on these requirements which includes a link to the Preventive Control Plan Interactive tool which will help you determine if and when you need a written PCP. Depending on the commodity, there may be exemptions for small business related to gross annual sales and number of employees, the Timetables found here have a column that summarize the exemptions for each commodity. There is no exemptions relating to farmer’s markets for PCP’s, however the requirements are outcome based to allow flexibility in how you achieve the expected outcomes. List of PCP guidance and resources is also available in slide # 17.

  1. What does traceability mean in terms of a food vendor selling jam or pickled carrots or eggs at a nearby farmers’ market in BC?

When selling to an individual consumer, such as at retail, traceability would only be one step back. For specific information regarding if and when the traceability requirements apply to your business, refer to the Traceability interactive tool as well as the relevant timetable(s) listed here: Timelines. In addition, the product must originate from a licence holder in order to be eligible for sale across provincial or territorial boundaries, see CFIA web page titled “Food Licences” for more information. Traceability guidance is also available in slide #21.

  1. When will the new regulations come into effect for my interprovincial farmers’ or Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) or box program sales? Please provide timeline details.

Relevant timetable(s) listed here: Timelines.

  1. Do the regs apply to all farm types e.g. single family, multigenerational, Hutterite colony, partnership, corporation, etc.? Is just one license required for multi business operations? e.g. Innisfail Growers – does each business member need a license to sell under the IG umbrella; multi family CSAs were each operation provides a different food product to the weekly box does each family need a license?

In general, if the operator is manufacturing, processing, treating, preserving, grading, packaging and/or labelling a food for export or interprovincial trade, or importing a food, they require a licence. Please see the resources on CFIA page titled “Food Licences” for further guidance on specific situations and whether a licence is required. Businesses can choose to conduct multiple activities under the same licence or can hold multiple licences for different activities, commodities or facilities. You may refer to CFIA’s Video series: Applying for an SFC licence using single or multiple My CFIA profiles for further guidance.

  1. If I am following the former packaging and labelling requirements as well as the Food and Drugs Regulations do I need to do anything more in terms of the new SFCR? What has actually changed for me as a farm direct operator?

In general, the introduction did not change the labelling requirements much. Most of the existing requirements from the Consumer Packaging and Labelling requirements and commodity specific regulations were incorporated into the SFCR. The requirements in the Food and Drug Regulations did not change with the introduction of the SFCR. For current guidance on labelling requirements please refer to CFIA’s Industry Labelling Tool.

  1. Is there anyone at the CFIA who can help me meet the new regulations when I struggle to find the information on the website? Is there a roadmap to help me identify the areas of the website that I need to focus my research on? For instance, is there a checklist page that says “if you sell this product or through this market channel you need to …”

The CFIA’s webpage has interactive tools to help you determine licencing and traceability requirements. Please see the resources on the following page: Interactive tools and timelines: Find out if and when the new requirements apply to your business. Businesses can contact the local CFIA office for questions or submit questions online using the Ask CFIA service.

  1. Have the food labelling requirements changed with the new regulations. Please recap the current requirements.

All the current labelling requirements can be found on the CFIA’s Industry Labelling Tool on this page there is also a labelling requirements checklist that can be used to assess the compliance of your label(s).

  1. Does the new SFCR cover both food and (non alcoholic) beverage products?

Yes, beverages are considered “food” in both the Food and Drugs Act and Safe Food for Canadians Act. food includes any article manufactured, sold or represented for use as food or drink for human beings, chewing gum, and any ingredient that may be mixed with food for any purpose whatever;