January 15, 2020

New food safety requirements now in force for fresh fruits or vegetables

Starting January 15, the new requirements of the Safe Food for Canadians Regulations (SFCR) come into force for most businesses in the fresh fruits or vegetables (FFV) sector that import, export or engage in interprovincial trade.

As of the 15th, FFV importers who currently require a Safe Food for Canadians (SFC) licence and do not have one may experience delays or rejection of their shipment at the border, and may be subject to other enforcement actions.

Generally, for the purposes of the SFCR, fresh fruits or vegetables are considered to be "any fresh plant or any fresh edible fungus, or any part of such a plant or fungus, that is a food." This includes any fresh herbs, fruits, vegetables, mushrooms or sprouts, either wild or cultivated.

Link: New federal food safety requirements now in force for fresh fruits or vegetables (Canadian Food Inspection Agency)