Importing Human Food vs Animal Food into Canada
When it comes to importing human food and animal food into Canada, many businesses assume the process is similar. In reality, while both categories are regulated to protect consumers and animals, the requirements, permits, and oversight agencies differ significantly. Understanding these distinctions is crucial if you plan to expand into the Canadian market.
In this blog, we’ll break down how each category is regulated, what documentation you need, and how you can stay compliant when importing your products. Keep reading to learn how to navigate both frameworks confidently.
Regulatory Authorities and Frameworks
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) oversees both human and animal food imports, but the regulations differ depending on the end use.
Human food imports fall under the Safe Food for Canadians Regulations (SFCR), enforced by the CFIA and guided by Health Canada, which sets food safety standards and evaluates chemical, microbiological, and nutritional risks.
Animal food, which includes pet food and livestock feed, is regulated by the Feeds Act and Feeds Regulations. The CFIA ensures imported feed is safe, nutritionally adequate, and properly labeled.
For detailed guidance, the CFIA provides dedicated resources on both categories: visit the page on importing food products for human food requirements and the section on importing animal feed for animal feed regulations.
Licensing and Documentation Requirements
Before importing food into Canada, you must meet several requirements depending on the product type.
For Human Food
- Obtain a Safe Food for Canadians (SFC) licence if you import food for commercial purposes.
- Maintain a Preventive Control Plan (PCP) demonstrating how you manage safety hazards.
- Ensure your foreign suppliers meet Canadian standards for labelling, additives, and contaminants.
- Keep detailed import records for traceability.
For Animal Food
- Apply for a Feed Registration (if applicable) before import.
- Secure an import permit from the CFIA, especially for products containing animal-origin ingredients.
- Comply with labeling standards under the Feeds Regulations, including guaranteed analysis and ingredient lists.
- Retain documentation for traceability and verification.
Both human and animal food importers are responsible for verifying that suppliers follow Canadian standards before products enter the market.
Inspection and Compliance
All imported food products may be inspected at the border or upon entry into Canada. For human food, the CFIA conducts risk-based inspections based on product type and origin.
For animal food, inspections focus on preventing contamination and ensuring feed does not pose a risk to animal or human health. Pet foods containing meat ingredients may face additional scrutiny to prevent disease transmission.
If your shipment fails inspection, it could be refused entry or destroyed — a costly mistake that can be avoided with proper pre-import review.
Key Takeaways
- Different regulations apply: Human food falls under the Safe Food for Canadians Regulations, while animal food is regulated under the Feeds Act and Feeds Regulations.
- Licensing matters: Importers of human food need an SFC licence, while animal feed importers may need CFIA import permits or feed registrations.
- Documentation is critical: Maintain complete records and ensure suppliers meet Canadian standards.
- Inspections are risk-based: Both food types undergo CFIA inspections, but animal feed has additional disease-control measures.
- Partnering with experts reduces risk: Working with regulatory professionals ensures smooth and compliant import operations.
FAQs
Do I need the same licence to import both human and animal food into Canada?
No. Human food requires an SFC licence under the Safe Food for Canadians Regulations, while animal feed may need registration or a CFIA import permit under the Feeds Act. These licences ensure products meet safety, labeling, and traceability standards before entering the Canadian market.
Can I use the same Preventive Control Plan for both?
Not usually. Human food PCPs focus on consumer safety, allergen management, and cross-contamination prevention, while animal feed PCPs emphasize nutrient consistency, ingredient quality, and animal health protection. Each plan must be tailored to its intended market and product type.
Is pet food considered animal feed?
Yes. Pet food is regulated under the same framework as other animal feed products. It must comply with the Feeds Regulations for ingredient approval, labeling, and safety testing before import. CFIA may also request proof of manufacturing practices or ingredient sourcing.
Can I start importing without a Canadian address?
No. A responsible party or importer of record located in Canada is required to apply for a licence or permit. This local representative ensures compliance with CFIA inspections, documentation, and recalls if needed.
Is it difficult to get licensed to import food into Canada?
It can be complex without experience, but not when you have expert guidance. Quality Smart Solutions helps businesses prepare documentation, register with CFIA, and develop compliant systems to meet Health Canada and CFIA requirements efficiently.
Next Steps
Understanding the differences between importing human food and animal food into Canada can save you time, money, and compliance issues. Whether you import pet food, livestock feed, or packaged foods, following CFIA and Health Canada guidelines is key to a smooth entry process.
At Quality Smart Solutions, we support food and feed importers with licensing, labelling, and regulatory compliance so you can focus on growing your business. Learn more about our full range of services for importers here: Canada Food Compliance Services or contact us today to get expert guidance.
