Seafood Safety

The B.C. government is committed to working with the seafood industry to help ensure that safe, high quality seafood enters the B.C. marketplace to facilitate greater consumer confidence leading to further growth and development of B.C.’s entire agrifoods sector.

In April 2015, the B.C. government introduced the new Fish and Seafood Act which has a greater emphasis on food safety.  The Act and the new Fish and Seafood Licensing Regulation were brought into force on January 1, 2017.  

Licence holders, partner agencies, industry associations and First Nations were consulted in order to solicit feedback on proposed new regulations.

These new regulations may affect how some participants in the seafood industry will operate.  As of January 1, 2017 all seafood processors licensed by the B.C. government will be required to develop, maintain and follow a written food safety and sanitation plan which addresses all potential food safety concerns.  In order to support the industry in meeting the new regulatory requirements, the B.C. government has created the following:

Seafood Industry Notices

Notification of regulatory changes applicable to Seafood Processors:

Notification of regulatory changes applicable to Fish Receivers

Notification of regulatory changes applicable to Fisher Vendors

Notification to Seafood Processors regarding handling and processing oysters:

Sanitation Plan Supports

The workbook accompanies the educational video below:

Food Safety Plan Supports

The workbook accompanies the educational videos below:

Food Safety Plan Educational Video Series

This series of videos accompanies the workbook above:

Access a Qualified Food Safety Specialist (no-charge)

To assist in the development of your written food safety and sanitation plans, please call 1-855-966-4272 to schedule an appointment with a Food Safety Specialist.