How to Prepare for a CFIA Inspection (and What Inspectors Really Look For)

Wentsi Yeung
Aug 29
2 min read

Published: August 2025 · By Blue Aster Consulting

For many food businesses, the words “CFIA inspection” bring stress and uncertainty. Will you pass? What will the inspector check? The good news is that inspections are not designed to trick you. They are meant to confirm that your business is following the rules and keeping food safe.

With the right preparation, you can approach your inspection with confidence.

What is a CFIA Inspection?

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) inspects food businesses to verify compliance with the Safe Food for Canadians Regulations (SFCR). Depending on your activities, an inspection may cover licensing, preventive controls, traceability, and labelling.

Inspections can be routine, risk based, or triggered by complaints or recalls.

What Inspectors Really Look For

Inspectors focus on whether you have systems in place to keep food safe, properly labelled, and traceable. Common areas include:

Licensing: valid SFCR licence if required
Preventive Control Plan (PCP): written plan and records showing you follow it
Sanitation and hygiene: cleaning schedules, employee practices, pest control
Allergen control: procedures to prevent cross contact
Traceability: one step forward and one step back records
Recall procedures: clear plan in case a product must be removed from the market
Labelling: bilingual labels, ingredient lists, allergens, Nutrition Facts

How to Prepare for Your Inspection

Review your licence and documents. Make sure your SFCR licence, PCP, SOPs, and records are up to date
Check your labels. Confirm they meet CFIA requirements for language, allergens, and Nutrition Facts
Verify traceability. Be ready to show records of where ingredients came from and where finished products went
Practice your recall. Inspectors may ask you to demonstrate how you would remove a product from the market
Train your team. Staff should know basic food safety, allergen handling, and what to do during an inspection
Do a walk through. Look at your facility with inspector eyes: clean, organized, and compliant

What to Expect During the Visit

The inspector will introduce themselves, explain the scope, and ask about your operations
They may walk through your facility, check records, and review labels
They may take samples for testing
At the end, they will discuss findings. You may receive written notes, guidance, or in some cases, corrective actions to complete

Final Thoughts

A CFIA inspection does not have to be stressful. With solid documentation, clear processes, and a culture of food safety, you can handle inspections with confidence.

At Blue Aster Consulting, we help businesses prepare for inspections, from document reviews to mock audits.

👉 Want to feel confident before your inspection?