Food, Health & Consumer Products of Canada > Policy & Regulation

Setting safety standards that Canadians can rely on

Safety is the foundation of the food, beverage, and consumer goods industry. Our industry invests significant resources to earn and maintain consumers’ confidence, safeguarding our reputation for providing safe, reliable products to Canadian families. Canada boasts some of the most stringent safety regulations in the world, and our manufacturers uphold the absolute highest standards to meet these rigorous requirements.

We work closely with government bodies and stakeholders to ensure that all ingredients and products, regardless of their origin, comply with these stringent safety standards. Our members are committed to advancing scientific progress and exploring process enhancements to further promote the safety of goods sold in Canada. This dedication ensures that Canadians can trust the products they purchase and bring into their homes.

Robust safety systems

To ensure product safety, our industry employs a range of comprehensive safety systems. These include federal and provincial legislation, as well as strict in-house quality assurance protocols. Safety systems such as Can-Trace, the Canadian Environmental Protection Act review, Ingredient Awareness, Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP), and Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) Guidelines are integral to maintaining the safety of our food supply.

Smart chemical management

Our industry is dedicated to ensuring products on Canadian shelves meet the highest standards of quality and safety. Our work actively supports the government's Chemical Management Plan by providing crucial information about substances used in manufacturing, maintaining consumer confidence, and ensuring safety through rigorous science-based solutions.

Chemicals are vital in daily life, from personal care items to food packaging. Canada leads in reviewing these chemicals to protect our health and environment. Thousands of substances used or made in Canada are regularly reviewed by Environment and Climate Change Canada and Health Canada. We work with these and other stakeholders to stay informed about chemical management activities, ensuring our members are updated on changes that could impact their businesses and Canadians can access safe products.

Allergen aware

Over three million Canadians are impacted by food allergies, including 600,000 children. These individuals rely on safe food manufacturing processes and the judicious use of precautionary allergen labelling on products to reduce their risk of allergic reactions.

For manufacturers, recalls are expensive to not only the company’s bottom line but also its reputation. In 2021, over 30 per cent of all food recalls were allergen related. Through our participation in Food Allergy Canada's Food Manufacturers Stakeholder Council, we contributed to the development of the Allergen Management Guidelines for Food Manufacturers — a landmark food safety resource for manufacturers to manage food allergens in their facilities, including guidance on the use of precautionary allergen labelling.

Combatting counterfeits

Preventing counterfeit, illegally labelled, and grey market goods from entering the Canadian marketplace is vital for both businesses and consumers. These goods not only pose health and safety risks but also result in lost economic opportunities for producers.

As online shopping continues to surge, new challenges emerge regarding safety and fair market practices. We actively collaborate with Health Canada and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) to address issues such as allergen labelling discrepancies and ingredient variations in consumer products. Our involvement in initiatives like the Canadian Anti-Counterfeiting Network and the CFIA's Food Advisory Committee underscores our commitment to ensuring Canadians have access to safe, properly labelled products.

Ensuring Product Safety

Setting safety standards that Canadians can rely on

Robust safety systems

Smart chemical management

Allergen aware

Combatting counterfeits

About FHCP

Follow Us