September 27, 2019 – The Safe Food for Canadians Regulations (SFCR) came into force on January 15, 2019, and other requirements will be introduced in 2020 and 2021 based on food commodity, type of activity and business size. The preventive control requirements are found in Part 4 of the SFCR that contain majority of the food safety requirements.
The food safety requirements are based on internationally recognized principles of food hygiene, including Good Manufacturing Practices, Good Agricultural Practices, and the principles of Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP). These requirements establish the expected food safety outcomes to help prevent food safety hazards and reduce the likelihood of contaminated food entering the Canadian market place.
In addition, there are inherent animal welfare risks to food animals during their handling and slaughter. The preventive control requirements found in Part 4 of the SFCR contain the animal welfare requirements that are based on internationally recognized principles. These preventive controls establish the outcomes for preventing or eliminating avoidable suffering, injury, or death other than by slaughter or humane killing of the food animal.
Under the SFCR the requirements certain food businesses must prepare, keep,
maintain and implement a written preventive control plan (PCP) to demonstrate
how hazards and risks to food are addressed. Below is guidance documents to
help you determine if you need a written PCP, and if so, how to prepare and
implement one. Get started today on developing and
implementing your written preventive control plan or preventive controls such
as sanitation and pest control.
Guidance on PCP
- Preventive control plan interactive tool: Find out if and when you will need a Preventive Control Plan
- Infographic: Key Preventive Food Safety Controls
- A guide for preparing a preventive control plan – For domestic food businesses
- A guide for preparing a preventive control plan for importers
- Getting started: Toolkit for food businesses
- SFCR timelines by sector
- The Guidance Finder
- Preventive control plan interactive tool
Use this interactive tool to determine if and when you need a PCP - Infographic: Your preventive control plan
- Questions and answers: Preventive controls and preventive control plans
Know the requirements
Video: Creating a Preventive Control Plan (PCP) under the SFCR
Regulatory requirements: Preventive control plan
An explanation of the requirements found in the SFCR Part 4, Division 6 – Preventive control plan. Get a better understanding of the requirements to help you determine if you meet them. http://inspection.gc.ca/food/requirements-and-guidance/preventive-control-plans/regulatory-requirements/eng/1526502822129/1526502868878
Preventive controls for food businesses
Access a collection of information related to preventive controls.
Prepare your PCP
Visit CFIA website for more information including access to additional tools and resources.