SFCR Consulting in Canada
Texave International provides SFCR consulting and compliance support for food importers, manufacturers and growing food brands in Canada. We help you understand the requirements relevant to your products and activities, assess documentation gaps and plan practical improvements to your food safety systems.
Our SFCR support in Canada covers SFC licensing guidance, preventive controls, supplier documentation, traceability and compliance reviews. We support businesses in British Columbia and Ontario, including Vancouver and the Greater Toronto Area, with the scope and delivery arrangements agreed for each project.
What is SFCR?
SFCR stands for the Safe Food for Canadians Regulations. These federal regulations establish requirements for food businesses, including licensing, preventive controls, preventive control plans, traceability and certain packaging and labelling obligations. Which requirements apply depends on the food, the activities performed and where the food is traded.
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) administers and enforces the SFCR. A Safe Food for Canadians (SFC) licence is the permission issued for specified food activities. Your Preventive Control Plan (PCP), where required, describes how your business addresses applicable food safety and related requirements. These are connected parts of compliance, rather than interchangeable terms.
Who needs to comply with the SFCR?
SFCR requirements can apply to businesses importing food, preparing food for trade between provinces or territories, and carrying out relevant export activities. Some requirements also apply to certain businesses selling food within one province. Licensing, preventive controls, a written PCP and traceability each have their own applicability rules.
For example, a food importer may need an SFC licence and controls for its imported products and suppliers. A manufacturer expanding into interprovincial trade may need to reassess its licensing and documentation. We review your actual activities before recommending the work required.
SFCR compliance review and gap assessment
We review your existing documents and food business activities against the relevant requirements. An SFCR gap assessment can cover licensing scope, preventive controls, supplier information, traceability, complaints, recall procedures and records. We explain the findings and prioritise the actions your team needs to take.
SFC licence application guidance
If you need SFCR licence application support, we first assess the food categories and activities involved. The official permission is called an SFC licence. We help organise relevant application information and guide your team on My CFIA submissions, amendments or renewals within the agreed scope. For application and inspection-related work, see our CFIA consulting services in Canada.
SFCR requirements for food importers
Our SFCR importer support focuses on the products you bring into Canada, the foreign suppliers involved and the evidence available to support your controls. This may include reviewing supplier food safety documentation, hazards, product specifications and verification arrangements. We help identify missing information and clarify responsibilities with your team and other appointed specialists.
Preventive controls and PCP support
We help assess how your procedures address relevant hazards and operating controls. Where a written plan is required, the work can include hazard analysis, control measures, verification activities and implementation records. For a new plan, importer plan or detailed update, explore our PCP consulting services.
Traceability, recall and supporting records
We review how you identify products and lots, record suppliers and customers, and retrieve information if an issue occurs. Applicable traceability rules generally require tracking food back to the immediate supplier and forward to the immediate customer, with exceptions such as retail sales to consumers. Consulting can include reviewing recall procedures and identifying gaps in supporting records.
How we support your business
1. Understand your products and activities
Tell us what you import, manufacture, package, label or export, where you trade and what support you need. Share existing plans, licences and any relevant inspection correspondence so we can define the starting point.
2. Review the applicable requirements and gaps
We assess the information available and identify the documents, controls or further evidence your business may need. You receive an agreed scope of work, deliverables, fees and schedule before the project begins.
3. Develop or update the agreed documentation
We work with your team on the agreed procedures, records and corrective actions. This can involve revising existing documents, coordinating missing supplier information or linking the work to a separate PCP development project.
4. Support implementation and follow-up
We explain how the documentation relates to your day-to-day operations and the records your team needs to maintain. Any training, verification review or ongoing support is defined in the engagement.
Canadian food regulatory consulting with a practical focus
Texave combines food safety, regulatory and microbiology knowledge to connect requirements with the products and processes involved. Our work is tailored to the information available and the responsibilities your team needs to manage. Explore our wider Canada and USA food safety services for related regulatory and market-entry support.
SFCR consulting questions
Is an SFCR licence the same as an SFC licence?
People often search for an “SFCR licence” or “SFCR license.” The official term is Safe Food for Canadians licence, or SFC licence, issued under the SFCR. We can help assess the activities and food categories relevant to an application.
Do I need an SFC licence to import food into Canada?
Most commercial food importers require an SFC licence, although exceptions exist. The answer depends on your products and activities. We help assess the applicable licensing requirements before you proceed.
SFCR questions and next steps
Does every business need a written Preventive Control Plan?
No. Written PCP requirements depend on your activities and food categories. Certain small businesses with gross annual food sales of $100,000 or less may qualify for an exception, but this does not cover every commodity or remove all other obligations. We assess the relevant criteria rather than assuming that sales alone determine compliance.
Is a HACCP plan enough for SFCR compliance?
A HACCP-based system can provide useful food safety documentation, but it does not by itself establish that every applicable SFCR requirement is addressed. Licensing, consumer protection, traceability and other obligations need separate consideration. We can review the existing system and identify additional work.
Can you help with SFC licence renewal?
Yes. We can review the information and changes relevant to an agreed renewal project. An SFC licence generally expires two years after issue or renewal. Renewal must be processed before expiry; an expired licence cannot simply be renewed. Your business retains responsibility for accurate submissions and ongoing compliance.
Do you provide SFCR consulting in Ontario and Vancouver?
Yes. We support food businesses in Ontario and British Columbia, including Vancouver and the Greater Toronto Area. Contact us to discuss the products, activities and project scope, including whether the work requires any site-based assessment.
How much does SFCR consulting cost?
Fees depend on your products, number of suppliers, activities, existing documentation and the work required. An initial SFCR compliance review differs from developing a complete PCP or providing continuing implementation support. We confirm the scope, deliverables and fees before starting.
Does Texave issue licences or approve compliance?
No. Texave is an independent consultancy. CFIA issues SFC licences and makes regulatory and enforcement decisions. We provide guidance and documentation support; your business remains responsible for implementing controls and meeting its obligations.
