cfcaconsultant

  Earlier this year, a Canadian importer brought in two full containers of a manufactured food product from a well-known overseas supplier. The supplier was reputable, certified, and had all the right food safety accreditations — everything looked perfect on paper. But during a routine CFIA inspection, a problem was uncovered. The product contained a food additive that’s permitted in the supplier’s country — but not in Canada. The result? Every single unit in those two containers had to be exported or destroyed. That’s tens of thousands of dollars lost in product, not to mention the additional costs for shipping, storage, and disposal. It Wasn’t a Supplier Issue — It Was a Regulatory Gap The supplier didn’t do anything wrong by their own country’s standards. But Canadian regulations are unique. Ingredients, additives, and formulations that are perfectly legal elsewhere may be completely prohibited here. This isn’t just a paperwork issue — it’s an enforcement matter. And unfortunate...

  As December 2025 approaches, the introduction of new front-of-package labeling requirements will transform how products are sold and handled by importers, distributors, and retailers across Canada. To adapt to these changes, it is anticipated that importers and distributors might start selling items by the case rather than individually. This strategy shifts the responsibility of ensuring each unit is fully labeled for retail sale from the importers and distributors directly to retail stores. Retail stores, therefore, will need to be vigilant. Selling products with non-compliant labels could lead to violations of both the Food and Drugs Act (FDA) and the Safe Food for Canadians Act (SFCA). This shift means that retail stores themselves may need to undertake the labeling of products to ensure compliance before these products hit the shelves. Why It’s Important to Be Prepared ? Getting ahead of these changes is crucial. By preparing now, you can ensure that your store continues to o...