Food and Beverages

Our regulatory, compliance, and food quality experts support businesses of all sizes in ensuring safe consistent food products that meet high quality standards that Canadians have come to expect. This is achieved by conducting comprehensive GMP Audits and Inspections in the food industry. The industry is continuously challenged by evolving regulatory requirements related to ingredients, ingredient origins, labeling, claims, and packaging to help consumers make more informed choices. We help the industry meet food safety and quality requirements and challenges, navigate regulations, implement Good Manufacturing Practices, and provide ongoing support to stay ahead of the compliance curve delivered with personalized focus and flexibility. GMP audits and inspections in the food industry play a crucial role in maintaining these standards and helping your business succeed.

Whether you are a small start-up or an established organization, GMP audits and inspections in the food industry can be time consuming and challenging. Our tailored services offer a way to efficiently and cost effectively navigate through the regulatory and industry requirements for today, and to support your internal goals for continuous improvement in your food safety programs for tomorrow.

Facility / Operations Compliance

• Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP)
• Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP) and Preventive Control Plan Development, Implementation, Maintenance and Re-Assessment
• Preparing for the Safe Food for Canadians Act/Regulations (SFCA/R)
• Preparing for Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI) Scheme Certification
• Internal Audits for GFSI Schemes
• British Retail Consortium (BRC)
• Safe Quality Food (SQF – Level 1, 2 and 3) Systems
• Temporary Market Authorization (TMA)
• CFIA Federal Establishment Registration

Food Safety / Food Science

• Nutrition Facts Table Review and Consultation (Canada & USA)
• Ingredient Compliance Verification
• Stability/Shelf Life
• Export and Import Licensing
• Allergen Control Program Consultation
• Food Pathogen Management and Control
• Validation Program Development
• Allowable Claims for Unique Ingredients or Formulas
• Post-Market Authorization Services

Audit Preparation

• Gap Analysis:  Onsite review, written assessment and implementation guidance of your food safety program and quality management procedures for gaps or deficiencies. The analysis covers all activities from material intake, storage, processing and final product packaging through to crating for shipment.
• Employee Training:  To assist employees to understand and execute your company’s written food safety plan and preparation for regulatory inspections
• CFIA Audit Preparation:  Pre-assessment audit to address any issues prior to review

Import and Export

As an importer, you need to ensure that the food you import is safe to consume and meets Canadian requirements. Foreign products must conform with SFCA and CFIA regulations which obliges imported food be prepared with the same level of food safety controls as food prepared in Canada. To ensure your company follows the regulations that are required, speak with our experts who specialize in GMP audits and inspections in food industry, whether you are importing or exporting.

We help companies with the completion of Export and Import License registrations for USA, Europe & EU, Australia, Central and South America.

Temporary Market Authorization

• Food Additives
• Flavours
• Novel Foods

Training Programs

• Competency Quizzes
• Information sessions for Product Ideation, Design of Experiment for Product Development, Method Development and Best PD Laboratory Practices and Analysis of Results

Analytical Testing

Regulatory compliance and analytical testing go hand-in-hand when it comes to keeping your food products safe throughout the supply chain as well for monitoring domestic and imported food products. Whether you are running a small local food operation or involved with large-scale production, Canadian Analytical Laboratories provides the advanced analytical support you need to be fully and confidently ensure quality and safety for your customers. Our in-house laboratory partner provides:

• Analytical Testing of bacterial identification of food borne pathogens and Indicator Organisms
• Routine microbiological monitoring of food quality and manufacturing practices
• Shelf life evaluation

Learn about our other regulatory compliance and quality solutions, including GMP audits and inspections in food industry, to ensure your operations meet all necessary regulations and safety measures. Let’s schedule a call to discuss further and how we can prepare your business to succeed with our variety of services.

• SFCR (Safe Food for Canadians Regulations) for Food Facilities
• GFSI-Benchmarked Schemes (SQF, BRCGS, FSSC 22000)

Audit Criteria for Food Industry Compliance in Canada and the U.S.

The North American food industry operates under a strict and evolving regulatory framework. In Canada, the Safe Food for Canadians Act (SFCA) and its accompanying Regulations (SFCR) establish the foundation for modern food safety and traceability. In the U.S., the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) has transformed food safety from a reactive model to a preventive one.

At MCS Associates, our third-party audits help food manufacturers, processors, importers, and distributors meet Canadian and U.S. regulatory expectations. We provide the independent verification needed to ensure your facilities, records, and supply chains are inspection-ready and globally trusted.

Key Regulatory References:

• Safe Food for Canadians Act (SFCA)
• Safe Food for Canadians Regulations (SFCR)

Audit Criteria Include:

• Verification of Preventive Control Plans (PCPs)
• Hazard identification and critical control point validation
• Allergen control, cross-contamination prevention, and sanitation audits
• Recall plan documentation and traceability system testing
• Licensing, labeling, and import/export compliance

SFCR applies to all food businesses involved in international and interprovincial trade and requires that preventive controls be implemented and regularly assessed. Our audits ensure those controls are documented, enforced, and effective.

Key Regulatory References:

• Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA)
• 21 CFR Parts 117 (human food) & 507 (animal food)

Audit Criteria Include:

• Current Good Manufacturing Practices (CGMP) review
• Hazard Analysis and Risk-Based Preventive Controls (HARPC)
• Foreign Supplier Verification Program (FSVP) evaluations
• Food defense and intentional adulteration vulnerability assessments
• Records retention, training logs, and recall protocols

FSMA emphasizes proactive risk mitigation and accountability throughout the food supply chain. MCS audits align your systems with these mandates before the FDA arrives.

Third-party food audits serve as a critical tool for:

• Demonstrating compliance with Health Canada and FDA requirements
• Avoiding regulatory enforcement actions, import refusals, or delistings
• Ensuring upstream and downstream supply chain qualification
• Meeting GFSI, HACCP, and BRCGS certification expectations
• Verifying readiness for customer or government inspections

From farm to fork, regulatory bodies and consumers alike expect transparency and accountability.

MCS Associates is your expert partner for North American food safety audits. We deliver practical, high-impact assessments designed to improve compliance and reduce operational risk.

• Deep experience with SFCR, FSMA, and GFSI-benchmarked schemes
• Support for PCP development, FSVP alignment, and recall simulations
• Customized audit programs for ingredient suppliers, processors, and distributors
• Actionable reports with risk classification and CAPA guidance
• Bilingual and cross-border audit teams for international clients

Whether you’re exporting to the U.S., launching a new product, or managing a complex supply chain, MCS Associates provides the expertise to keep you compliant, certified, and confident.

Contact us today to schedule a food GMP audit tailored to Canadian and U.S. regulatory needs.

Ensuring compliance with Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) is critical in the food industry. GMP audits and inspections in the food industry play a vital role in maintaining high standards by providing thorough evaluations of production processes. As a leading GMP audit company, we offer specialized expertise to conduct GMP audits and perform GAP assessments for facilities involved in food production, handling or storage, ensuring that all regulatory requirements are met.

MCS is recognized as one of Canada’s premiere GMP audit companies. We have helped many organizations optimize their operational robustness through regular GMP audit assessments. Comprehensive GMP audits and inspections in the food industry represent an essential part of overall approach to product quality and safety.