From Local to National: Why Your Bakery Needs a Licence to Sell Across Provincial Borders

 Thinking about selling your baked goods to customers outside your province? Whether it’s a café in Vancouver that wants your signature sourdough, a Toronto grocery store stocking your gluten-free muffins, or an Alberta distributor picking up your pies, there’s one thing you need to know before making that leap:

You likely need a federal licence under the Safe Food for Canadians Regulations (SFCR).



When a Bakery Needs an SFCR Licence

If your bakery ships food across provincial borders (or exports internationally), the CFIA requires you to hold an SFCR licence.
This applies to most small bakeries, even if:

  • You bake from a single facility and ship finished products directly to out-of-province customers.
  • You only sell wholesale to another business who then distributes in another province.
  • You run an online store and ship across Canada.

Why the Licence Matters

An SFCR licence shows your customers and regulators that you meet federal standards for food safety and traceability. It ensures:

  • Compliance: You’re following federal food safety rules, not just your local health unit’s.
  • Market Access: Retailers, distributors, and foodservice companies often require proof of federal licensing.
  • Credibility: It shows buyers you’re operating to a professional, regulated standard.

What You’ll Need Before Applying

Most bakeries will need to have these in place:

  1. Preventive Control Plan (PCP) – A documented food safety plan that identifies hazards and how you control them.
  2. Traceability System – So you can track your ingredients and products one step forward and back in the supply chain.
  3. Clean Labelling & Packaging Compliance – Your labels must meet federal bilingual, allergen, and nutrition requirements.

How CFCA Helps

Navigating the SFCR licensing process can be overwhelming, especially for small bakeries where owners wear many hats. At CFCA, we help by:

  • Preparing your Preventive Control Plan (PCP) tailored to baked goods production.
  • Ensuring your labels are compliant with federal requirements.
  • Setting up simple traceability tools suited for small-scale production.
  • Guiding you step-by-step through the licence application on the MyCFIA portal.

Real-World Example

One of our bakery clients in Ontario wanted to sell their specialty bread mixes in Western Canada. Within 3 weeks, we had their PCP in place, labels updated, and licence approved — unlocking new markets and doubling their distribution opportunities.

The Bottom Line

If your bakery dreams of going beyond your province, federal licensing isn’t optional — it’s essential.
With the right plan, you can expand safely, legally, and confidently.

Contact CFCA today to start your licensing process and get your bakery ready for the national stage.

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