Exporting Food from Canada: Common Compliance Mistakes

Exporting food products from Canada can open significant growth opportunities for small and medium-sized businesses, but many exporters underestimate how different export compliance is from domestic food sales. While Canadian food safety systems provide a strong foundation, exporting introduces additional expectations from customers, importing countries, and certification bodies.

One of the most common mistakes exporters make is assuming that a domestic food safety program automatically satisfies international requirements. In reality, export customers often require documented preventive controls, validated HACCP systems, traceability procedures, and supplier verification programs that go beyond minimum regulatory expectations. Businesses often discover gaps only when a shipment is delayed or a customer requests documentation during onboarding.

The key to successful exporting is building a food safety program that supports both Canadian regulatory requirements and customer expectations from the beginning. A properly structured Preventive Control Plan (PCP) and HACCP system helps exporters avoid disruptions, pass customer audits, and confidently enter new markets.