Understanding Canadian Food Regulations

4.9

What you'll gain from this course

Live online sessions with industry-recognized experts

Hands-on exercises and real-world application

Engaging group discussions and activities

Networking with peers and trainers

Canadian Food Regulations & Compliance Training is a two‑part, virtual, instructor‑led program designed to build foundational knowledge of Canada’s food regulatory system. This course provides a clear overview of the laws, authorities, and compliance requirements that govern food sold in Canada, including the Safe Food for Canadians Regulations (SFCR) and the Food and Drug Regulations (FDR). It is ideal for professionals seeking a strong regulatory baseline before advancing to specialized courses in Canadian food labelling, ingredient labelling, or nutrition labelling.

Across two interactive 3‑hour Knowledge Exchange Sessions, participants explore how federal and provincial authorities regulate food, how legislation is structured, and how compliance decisions are made. The course also examines current and emerging regulatory modernization initiatives.

Session 1 focuses on the regulatory landscape, including:

Roles of Health Canada and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA)
Federal vs. provincial jurisdiction
Overview of the SFCA/SFCR and FDA/FDR
Food standards, composition, additives, and labelling requirements
Enforcement tools, compliance risk assessments, and administrative monetary penalties
Key compliance resources and how to navigate Canadian legislation

Session 2 builds on this foundation with deeper regulatory mechanics:

How acts, regulations, marketing authorizations, and incorporation by reference function
Trade and commerce considerations for intra‑provincial, interprovincial, import, and export activities
Classification of meat, dairy, fish, processed fruit and vegetable products, and other commodities
Novel foods and approval pathways
Case studies illustrating how regulations, guidelines, and policies shape compliance
Current and upcoming modernization initiatives from Health Canada and CFIA

Excluded topics include natural health products, infant formula, and medical foods.
Participants receive access to NSF’s eLearning portal for course materials, assignments, and certificates.

This course is delivered in partnership with Legal Suites Inc., supporting professionals in managing food regulatory compliance through education and practical guidance.

Learning Outcomes

At the end of the program, learners will be able to:

Identify Canada’s key food regulatory authorities and their roles
Understand how federal and provincial food laws interact across trade scenarios
Describe the purpose and scope of the Food and Drugs Act, Safe Food for Canadians Act, and related regulations
Navigate Canadian food legislation and locate compliance requirements
Explain how the FDR and SFCR govern food standards, composition, additives, and labelling
Classify food products and determine applicable jurisdiction and regulatory requirements
Understand how food laws and regulations are created, amended, and enforced
Recognize the role of marketing authorizations and documents incorporated by reference
Apply regulatory principles to real‑world compliance scenarios
Identify key compliance resources and understand CFIA’s enforcement approach
Understand current and upcoming food regulatory modernization initiatives

Who Should Attend

This course is designed for Operational, Quality, Technical, and Food Safety professionals working in food manufacturing, processing, or retail. It is also well‑suited for individuals new to the Canadian food industry or those seeking foundational knowledge before pursuing advanced regulatory or labelling training.

Technology Requirements:
Participants must join the training using their own individual computer or device to meet participation and assessment requirements. Devices cannot be shared between multiple participants. To support engagement and interactive learning, participants are encouraged to join with both video and microphone enabled throughout the session.
If you have any questions or concerns regarding these requirements, please contact our training team at [email protected].

Computer & Internet Connection:
Participants will need reliable access to a computer with a stable internet connection. High speed broadband (LAN, cable, or DSL) is recommended.

Compatible Web Browsers:
The following browsers are supported: Chrome, Edge, Safari and Firefox.

Accommodations
NSF is committed to accommodating the learning requirements of all our stakeholders. If you require special assistance for any reason, please contact us at [email protected] prior to your class.