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Exporting food: understand the regulations (video)

The Safe Food for Canadians Regulations came into force on January 15, 2019. The regulations are based on international standards and help ensure that Canada's food businesses continue to have access to the U.S. and other key markets that have implemented similar preventive regulatory frameworks. Learn more on how the new regulations apply to exports.

Exporting Food from Canada – Transcript

[Text on screen: CFIA Safeguarding with Science]

[Graphic of the earth.]

Canada is a global leader in food production and a top exporter of food to the world.

[Meat, grains, chocolate, berries, and nuts appear within the earth. International monuments appear and circle the earth.]

From meat and grains to chocolate, fruit and nuts, Canadian food is consumed by people around the globe every day.

[Graphic of Parliament Building appears with many copies of Safe Food for Canadians Regulations around it.]

[Text on screen: Safe Food for Canadians Regulations]

In 2019, Canada began a new era of food safety regulation with the introduction of the Safe Food for Canadians Regulations.

[Text on screen: Licensing, traceability, preventive controls]

These regulations are built on three key elements: licensing, traceability and preventive controls.

[Graphic of business owner on laptop with warehouse in the background.]

As an exporter, here are some of the things you should consider for each element.

[A computer on a desk. An envelope appears on the computer screen saying [SFC Licence LIC #123AB].]

[Text on screen: Licensing]

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency, or CFIA, issues licences to food exporters.

[Computer screen switches to a production lab where food is being packaged.]

A Safe Food for Canadians licence is required to conduct any activities related to preparing food for export from Canada or,

[Screen changes to search engine. [Which countries require export certificates?] is typed into the search bar. [CFIA export eligibility] is typed into the search bar. Search results appear and the page scrolls down.]

to receive an export certificate or other trade permission – such as being placed on an export eligibility list.

[Three physical establishments appear on screen.]

[Text on screen: SFC LIC #123AB | SFC LIC #123CD | SFC LIC #123EF]

[Each separate licence is moved into one records folder.]

In keeping with current best practices, CFIA recommends that food exporters apply for one SFC licence per physical establishment for all activities conducted at that address. This will give you one licence number that will ensure consistency across all your export records.

[Text on screen: Traceability]

[Computer screen changes to various clips of food production]

Traceability requires that you document where you grew or produced food, or who you bought it from, along with who you are selling it to.

[Computer screen changes to email. [Foreign counterparts] is typed in the recipient box. [Recall] is typed into subject.]

This can reduce the time it takes to notify foreign counterparts in the event that a product needs to be recalled.

[Text on screen: Preventive controls]

[Graphic of port is shown with planes, trucks, and cargo ships transporting food products.]

To be eligible to export food under your licence, you need to have preventive controls in place to make sure your food is safe before it leaves Canada.

[Text on screen: 3]

[Three graphics appear on screen. A chef, a business woman, and a preventive control plan.]

Three guiding principles are at the heart of preventive controls: one, know your food; two, know your foreign market; and three, have a written plan.

[Graphic of chef cooking.]

[Text on screen: Know your food]

[Text on screen (appears as checklist): Safety|Grading|Standards|Labelling|Net quantity]

[A checkmark appears beside each category.]

As an exporter, you need to know your food, so it meets requirements for safety, grading, standards, labelling and net quantity.

[A hand is mashing food. A checklist appears and checks items off the list.]

Verify that your food product matches information provided on the export certificate and other shipping documents.

[Business woman on her computer emailing her importer.]

[Text on screen: Know your foreign market]

[Text on screen (appears as checklist): Check market eligibility|Work with importer|Work with TCS|Obtain certification from CFIA if required by importing country]

[A checkmark appears beside each category.]

You are also responsible for knowing your foreign market. Check that you are eligible for specific markets and work with your importer or the Canadian Trade Commissioner Service to ensure your food meets the importing country’s requirements. Be sure to obtain required inspection or certification services from CFIA before your food leaves Canada.

[Tablet displaying a Preventive Control Plan]

[Text on screen: Have a written plan]

[Text on screen (appears as checklist): Understand risks|Set out preventive controls|Keeps food safe]

[A checkmark appears beside each category.]

Finally, make sure you have a written preventive control plan. A written plan demonstrates you understand the risks associated with your food, and sets out the preventive controls you are taking to keep your food safe.

[Text on screen: Safe Food for Canadians Regulations]

[Graphic of globe. Different icons such as pig, nuts, apples, fish and other food products appear in different locations across the globe.]

The Safe Food for Canadians Regulations position Canadian exporters to meet growing foreign demand for their foods.

[Businesswoman standing proudly in front of her warehouse.]

[Text on screen: Food safety]

Remember that safe food is your responsibility and good business.

[Text on screen: inspection.gc.ca/MyCFIA]

[My CFIA Logo changes to graphic of licences, export certificate, and smartphone.]

Sign up for My CFIA today to access a growing number of online services including, licences, export certificates, as well as electronic payment options.

[Text on screen: inspection.gc.ca/SafeFood]

Visit the Safe Food for Canadians Regulations webpage to learn more.

[Canada Logo]

[Text on screen: © Her Majesty the Queen in Right of Canada (Canadian Food Inspection Agency), 2018.]

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