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.

Do you need it?

You need it if

  • You make, process, pack or label food that goes to another province, or you import food.

You don’t need it if

  • You make and sell food only in BC.
  • You are a restaurant or caterer sending food straight to your customers.
Where this comes from

Sources

How to get it

  1. 1

    Enrol in My CFIA

    Create a profile for your business and apply for the licence online.

  2. 2

    Prepare your preventive control plan

    Most licence holders must write, keep and follow one, covering each licensed activity. CFIA also asks a food safety questionnaire for each establishment.

  3. 3

    Pay the fee

    $307.96 for a two-year licence.

Where this comes from

Sources

Once you have it

  • Renew in My CFIA — the option opens 120 days before the licence expires.
Where this comes from

Sources

What comes next

Federal food labelsCFIA and Health Canada rules

Which businesses need 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 5 November 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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