Can you sell homemade food in Canada? What food items can I sell from home? There has been a growing trend in Canada toward supporting small, local food businesses in recent years.
This has led to a number of provinces legalizing the sale of homemade food products.
While the specifics vary, these initiatives help entrepreneurs and small business owners get started in the food industry, while ensuring that food safety regulations are still being met.
Ontario
In Ontario, the Health Protections and Promotion Act (HPPA) and Food Premises Regulation (FPR) allow for the preparation and sale of what are described as “low-risk” and non-hazardous food items that do not require “time and temperature control.”
Such items include:
- most breads and buns (without fillings or meats)
- baked goods (excluding custard)
- chocolate
- hard candies
- pickles & jams & preserves
- granola & trail mix
- brownies, muffins, and cookies (unless the icing requires refrigeration)
- coffee beans and tea leaves
Anyone preparing and selling these food items must follow HPPA and FPR guidelines, and their premises will need to be inspected by public health inspectors.
Home-based businesses in Ontario are exempt from some of the regulations that apply to commercial food operations, such as the requirement for a separate hand-washing sink and commercial dishwashing.
Home-based businesses are also exempt from food-handler training and certification, which is required for employees in commercial food operations.
British Columbia
In British Columbia, home-based food operations may sell low-risk food items such as baked goods, confectionery, coffee, and tea through farmers’ markets, online, or from their homes.The specific regulations and requirements for these businesses are determined by the local health authority, so check with the health authority in the area where you plan to make and sell your products.
Alberta
As of June 1, 2020, food operators can prepare low-risk foods in their home kitchens to sell directly to consumers from home or at special events. Alberta has implemented a cottage food industry regulation that allows for the sale of low-risk food items such as baked goods, jams, jellies, honey, and syrups.
These food items must be prepared in a home kitchen that meets certain sanitation and safety standards, and the specific regulations and requirements for these businesses are determined by the local health authority.
Start selling your homemade food in Alberta by reading this Fact Sheet for Operators.
Quebec
In Quebec, the “maison” category was created to allow for the sale of homemade food products such as baked goods, preserves, and condiments.
These products must meet certain criteria, including being prepared in a home kitchen that meets certain sanitation and safety standards, and must be labelled with the name and address of the person who prepared the product.
Other Provinces
In other provinces such as Manitoba, Saskatchewan, P.E.I., New Brunswick and Nova Scotia, the sale of homemade food products is also being supported to varying degrees and regulations are being put in place to allow for these businesses to operate.
However, the specific regulations and requirements vary by province and are determined by the local health authority, so it’s important to check with the local health authority in the area where you plan to sell your products.
The sale of homemade food in Canada is a growing trend, and a number of provinces are now legalizing and supporting these small, local food businesses.
It’s important to note that each province has its own specific regulations and requirements, so it’s essential to check with your local health authority.
Ready for the next step?
Read on to learn how to create amazing social media content for your homemade food business.
