Federal

Safe Food for Canadians licence

Needed to make, process, pack or label food that goes to another province, and to import food; a business that only exports needs one just to get a CFIA export certificate. Not needed for food made and sold only in BC, nor by a restaurant or caterer sending food straight to its customers.

Who issues it
Canadian Food Inspection Agency
How long
Valid two years.

Who needs it

BakeriesOnly if you ship to other provincesPackaged food makersOnly if you sell to other provincesFarms & market gardensOnly if you pack or sell to other provincesFishers & seafood sellersOnly if you sell to other provincesBeekeepersOnly if you pack honey for other provinces

The rules behind this page

Last checked 26 September 2026. We check this guide regularly against Island Health, provincial and municipal sources, but regulations and laws change often and we can’t guarantee it is complete or current. Confirm with Island Health and your municipality before you apply, build or sell.

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