On Wednesday, June 13th, The Canadian Government announced Safe Food for Canadians Regulations that will come into effect January, 15th, 2019.

The new regulations are in regards to licensing, traceability, and preventive control for food businesses.

Federal Ag Minister, Lawrence MacAulay, was a part of the announcement yesterday, and said these requirements will help expand Canada's market access.

"They will also help us make sure that our regulations are in line with food safety standards used by our major trading partners, which includes the United States, the European Union, Australia and New Zealand."

Businesses that import food, or prepare food for export or to be sent across provincial or territorial borders, will now need to have licenses as well as preventive controls that address potential risks to food safety.

 Most food businesses will also have to maintain simple traceability records that allows them to trace their food back to their supplier and forward to whom they sold their products.

Retailers will only be required to trace their food back to their supplier, not forward to consumers to whom they sold their products.

"If we boost our food safety controls, and our ability to quickly trace back any food borne illnesses, we will give Canada's food business the competitive edge they need in the markets," MacAulay said. "And if we prevent problems before they occur, we will help our food processors avoid costly delays."

The Government says, the new regulations are the result of consultations with consumers and stakeholders since the Safe Food for Canadians Act was passed in 2012.

The Safe Food for Canadians Regulation will be replacing the 14 follow regulations relating to food safety;

Dairy Products Regulations;Egg Regulations;Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Regulations;Honey Regulations;Icewine Regulations;Licensing and Arbitration Regulations;Livestock and Poultry Carcass Grading Regulations;Organic Products Regulations;Maple Products Regulations;Processed Egg Regulations;Processed Products Regulations;Consumer Packaging and Labelling Regulations;Fish Inspection Regulations; andMeat Inspection Regulations, 1990.

For more information, you can visit the Government of Canada's Website.