Imported Food Sector Regulatory Proposal

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) is proposing new regulations to improve oversight of imported food products in the Non-Federally Registered Sector (NFRS). This regulatory proposal would:

• Strengthen the accountability of food importers for the safety of their products;
• Allow the CFIA to better identify and engage importers; and
• Improve importers' ability to quickly identify, respond to and advise the CFIA of potentially unsafe imported food.

The proposed regulations will apply to imported food products that are not already regulated under commodity-specific regulations under the Canada Agricultural Products Act. Examples of such products include, but are not limited to:

• Bakery products
• Confectionery/chocolate
• Grains, breads and cereals
• Juices
• Snack foods
• Beverages
• Coffee and tea
• Fats and oils
• Infant formula
• Meal replacements and formulated liquid diets
• Spices and seasonings

Under the proposal, importers would need to have a licence. To obtain a licence, importers would need to develop, implement and maintain a written Preventive Food Safety Control Plan outlining the actions and measures taken to keep their food safe and compliant with Canadian regulations.

• Will my imported food product be affected by the regulatory proposal?
• Notice of Intent (Canada Gazette, Part I - April 21, 2012) (Consultation closed)
  • News release - Government of Canada to Strengthen Safety of Imported Food
  • Backgrounder - Government of Canada to Strengthen Safety of Imported Food
  • Brochure - Proposed Regulations for Certain Imported Foods
  • Questions and Answers
• User Fee Proposal (Consultation closed)
  • Summary of Stakeholder Comments and CFIA Responses
• Pre-consultation (Consultation closed)
  • Final Report - Overview of Public Feedback Received on the Imported Food Sector Regulatory Proposal

Date modified:

2013-09-05