Preventive Control Plans for Food Importers: What CFIA Really Expects
A Preventive Control Plan (PCP) is the backbone of food safety compliance for Canadian food importers. CFIA doesn’t expect perfection — but they do expect importers to understand their risks and have documented controls in place to manage them. A strong PCP shows how your business prevents food safety hazards, meets regulatory requirements, and responds when something goes wrong.
For importers, a PCP typically includes food safety controls, traceability systems, recall procedures, complaint handling, corrective actions, supplier approval, sanitation (where applicable), and recordkeeping practices. The challenge is ensuring these elements align with your actual products, suppliers, and distribution channels. A PCP copied from another business or downloaded online rarely survives inspection scrutiny.
CFIA inspectors focus on whether your PCP is practical, implemented, and supported by records — not just whether a document exists. Importers who invest in a tailored PCP reduce inspection stress, move through licensing faster, and gain confidence when working with customers, retailers, and border officials.
Next Steps:
Tell us what you import, and we’ll assess your licensing and PCP needs.
