Advocacy
IMPORTANT CHANGES TO THE SAFE FOOD FOR CANADIANS LICENSING PROCECESS
Be aware of important changes to the Safe Food for Canadians (SFC) licensing process that may affect your ability to operate under a SFC licence without interruption.
What’s changed:
- Completion of the Establishment Risk Assessment (ERA)model – Food Safety Supplemental Information (FSSI) questionnaire (formerly known as the Additional Establishment Information (AEI))is now required for all new SFC licence applications, renewals, and amendments linked to domestic activities. Completion of the FSSI questionnaire is not required for import and export activities.
- All SFC licence applications, renewals and amendments are subject to pre-issuance review of the information provided with the application and the applicant’s inspection history. In some cases, this includes a Case Management Officer meeting with the applicant to confirm preventive controls are in place and that they understand their responsibility for food safety.
- Processing times have increased as compared to your previous experience, and SFC licence applications will no longer be processed within 48 hours. Pre-issuance verification by Case Management Officers may result in requests for additional information or trigger an application to be referred to an Area Inspector for a pre-issuance inspection. When any of these scenarios occur, additional processing time may be required. The service standard for Safe Food for Canadians Licence Applications is 70 business days.
To avoid delays or disruptions:
- Apply early—you can renew your SFC licence up to 120 days before it expires.
- Ensure that establishment information and activities on your licence accurately reflect your current business operations. Amendments to your licence can only be processed before an application for renewal is submitted, or after an application for renewal is processed.
- Businesses can make billing more efficient by selecting monthly invoicing on-account as their online payment option in My CFIA. To set up an on-account, fill out a form for an Application for Credit (Form CFIA/ACIA 0015).
- Have preventive controls in place that meet the requirements of Part 4 of the Safe Food for Canadians Regulations (SFCR). Most businesses holding a SFC licence must also prepare, keep, maintain and implement a written preventive control plan (PCP) to demonstrate how risks to food and food animals are identified and controlled.
- If your SFC licence expires before your renewal application is processed, you cannot continue conducting business under your SFC licence and you’ll need to apply for a new SFC licence to resume activities requiring a SFC licence.
I strongly encourage you to begin your renewal process well in advance of the date your SFC licence expires.
If you have any questions about these changes, please contact permission@inspection.gc.ca.
For questions about the FSSI questionnaire, you can reach out to the ERA team at cfia.eramodel-modeleere.acia@inspection.gc.ca.
Federal
Here are this week’s new publications under Environment and Climate Change Canada’s and Health Canada’s Chemicals Management Plan (CMP):
| Nanomaterials Risk Assessment Framework Public Comment and Answer Document Webpage | The updated Nanomaterials Risk Assessment Framework has been published. The Framework provides guidance on adapting the existing practices for the risk assessment of chemical substances under CEPA to account for the novel properties exhibited by substances at the nanoscale. This includes both existing nanomaterials on the Domestic Substances List (DSL) and new nanomaterials notified under the New Substances Notification Regulations (Chemicals & Polymers). A document containing the public comments received on the June 2022 draft Framework, and Government of Canada responses to those comments, has also been published. Information relevant to CEPA-regulated nanomaterials and nanoscale forms of chemical substances has been consolidated into a single web page, which will be updated as more information on the risk assessment and management of these substances becomes available. |
| Delay in publication of final decision under the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999 Webpage | Section 77(8) of the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999 (CEPA) requires that, if more than two years have elapsed after the publication of a statement under paragraph 77(1)(a) in relation to a draft assessment without the Ministers having published a statement under paragraph 77(6)(b) in relation to the final assessment, the Minister of the Environment shall publish in the Environmental Registry the reasons for the delay and the estimated time frame within which the statement under paragraph 77(6)(b) is to be published. The Delay in Publication of Final Decision webpage has been published. This webpage will be updated to reflect the assessments where more than two years have elapsed. Note that the estimated time frames for publication reflect timelines at the time of the delay statement and are subject to change. |
Dainty Foods to open manufacturing facility in the U.S. – Food In CanadaFood In Canada
Dainty Foods, a Canadian-based producer of private-label rice and ready-to-heat meal solutions, will establish its first U. S. manufacturing plant in Batavia Township, Ohio, at a total cost of US$150 million spread over five years.
Government of Canada supports agri-food projects in Montérégie region – Canada.ca
Three Montérégie businesses share a total of $1,649,000 in funding from CED.
Funding has been granted under CED’s Regional Economic Growth through Innovation program. This program targets entrepreneurs leveraging innovation to grow their businesses and enhance their competitiveness, as well as regional economic stakeholders helping to create an entrepreneurial environment conducive to innovation and growth for all, across all regions.
An advocacy group of farmers and environmental organizations wants Health Canada to implement mandatory labelling on pork from gene-edited pigs.
Earlier this year, the federal agency approved the sale of gene-edited pigs as food. The pigs are resistant to Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome Virus, called PRRSV-resistant pigs.
PMRA Recent postings of consultations and decisions
The Health Canada Pest Management Regulatory Agency (PMRA) is responsible for pesticide regulation in Canada. The public registry is where you can learn more about all pest control products registered for use in Canada.
- Project plan for cumulative health risk assessment – Organophosphate pesticides (REV2026-01) Decision Posted: March 6, 2026
- Formic Acid and FENNOSURF 600-C (RD2026-08) Decision Posted: March 5, 2026
- 2-Phenethyl Propionate, Nuranone, Geraniol, Eugenol, and Japanese Beetle Trap Refill (RD2026-07) Decision Posted: March 5, 2026
Provincial
New tools to clean up tailings ponds | alberta.ca
Alberta’s government is investing $46 million into cutting-edge technologies that will safely reduce oilsands mine water and reclaim tailings ponds.
Improving complaint process for employers, workers
New amendments to Employment Standards Act and Temporary Foreign Worker Protection Act will improve the complaint and dispute-resolution process at the Employment Standards Branch (ESB)
Toronto Meat Markets Plead Guilty to Failing to Produce Records | Ontario Newsroom
Description of Offence: Failed to produce all documents to an inspector as demanded contrary to subsection 15(9) of the Food Safety and Quality Act.
The Provincial Government has reached a major milestone for Newfoundland and Labrador’s offshore industry to advance the Bay du Nord project. Agreements on life-of-field benefits, royalties, and an equity option have been reached with partners Equinor and BP. This is the province’s first new standalone offshore oil and gas development since Hebron and its first deepwater project.
USA
For Companies Selling Dietary Supplements in the US:
While the US regulates dietary supplements as food, it is important to understand the limits and restrictions on the ingredients that are permitted in these types of products as well as proposals to change what can be used in these types of foods. The US FDA, the government agency that regulates dietary supplements in the US is considering the actual scope of what a dietary supplement is, new technologies for making existing ingredients, and specific consideration for ingredient types such as proteins, enzymes, and microbials.
Annual & Quarterly Sampling Reports on Antimicrobial Resistance | Food Safety and Inspection Service
FSIS has published its fiscal year (FY) 2025 product and cecal sampling Antimicrobial Resistance reports. These reports cover data from the prior FY and are released annually when all analyses are completed.
FDA Warns 30 Telehealth Companies Against Illegal Marketing of Compounded GLP-1s | FDA
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration today announced the issuance of 30 warning letters to telehealth companies for making false or misleading claims regarding compounded GLP-1 products offered on their websites.
FDA Holds Meeting with States on Importation of Lower Cost Drugs | FDA
Earlier this week, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration held a meeting with several states to discuss the section 804 importation program (SIP), which allows states and Indian tribes to import certain prescription drugs from Canada to significantly reduce the cost of these drugs to the American consumer.
International
The Risk Assessment Committee has concluded its evaluation of the universal restriction proposal on all per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). Its opinion is the first part of our two-committee scientific evaluation of the proposal.
In its February meeting, our Biocidal Products Committee (BPC) adopted six opinions on active substances and two on Union authorisations. The committee supported, for example, the approval of ethanol for use in hand and general disinfectants.
Straight of Hormuz: Impact on food pricing
The sudden closure of the Strait of Hormuz is triggering immediate ripple effects across global food markets
EU Considers Adoption of Harmonized Precautionary Allergen Labeling Rules | Food Safety Magazine
The European Commission has posted a forthcoming draft act to its public feedback portal on harmonized requirements for the use of voluntary Precautionary Allergen Labeling (PAL) statements. Adoption of this regulation is planned for the fourth quarter of 2027.
Safety Share
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) encourages the public to follow established choking rescue protocols, which are step-by-step guides approved by the American Red Cross and the American Heart Association to relieve airway obstruction in choking victims.
Events
How Food Processors and Agricultural Businesses Can Access Grants FREE Webinar Mar 10, 2026 01:00 PM ET
In this free webinar, Jeff Carrier from helloDarwin will welcome two grant specialists, Robin Ghosh and Samuel Chamberland. They will present the key government funding programs for the agri-food industry in 2026.
The GFSI Conference, set for March 24-26, 2026, in Vancouver, Canada, will bring together more than 600 experts and business leaders from more than 40 countries to find ways to ensure greater action on food safety challenges.
To find out more about the conference and register, click here.
Safety Connection: Working For Workers Act – Where Are We Now | WSPS
FREE Webinar 8-Apr-2026 10:30 am EST 1.5 hours
In this session we will review why the working for workers acts were created, and all of the OHSA and Regulation changes that have occurred though the working for workers act releases. The session will also provide guidance and tips to help Employers navigate and implement the various updates and changes.
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