Harrison provided great insight into the industry and helped us get our business off the ground. He helped us organize and prepare our application and continues to help us whenever we reach out with questions. He always replies promptly and is very knowledgeable. We would highly recommend Harrison!
Food & Beverage Lawyer Toronto
Substance Law is a Toronto-based law firm providing specialized legal services to food and beverage businesses operating across or selling into Canada.
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Canada's Law Firm For Regulated Substances
Canada’s Law Firm for Food Importers, Manufacturers, Sellers, Brands and Products
Substance Law is a Toronto-based law firm providing specialized legal services to food and beverage businesses operating across or selling into Canada. We advise companies in one of the country’s most highly regulated industries and help them comply with the Food and Drugs Act, the Safe Food for Canadians Act and Regulations (SFCR), provincial legislation such as the Food Safety and Quality Act and Health Protection and Promotion Act, and municipal public health requirements.
Our food and beverage lawyers work with businesses at every stage of the product lifecycle—from concept and formulation to labelling, licensing, inspections, enforcement response, and transactions.
Who We Represent
We advise food businesses across the supply chain, including:
- Food and beverage manufacturers and processors
- Importers and exporters
- Consumer packaged goods (CPG) brands
- Private-label and co-packing arrangements
- Startups, growth-stage companies, and established national brands
Our clients operate in both interprovincial and international markets, and we regularly assist businesses navigating federal oversight by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency and Health Canada.
Food Product Categories We Serve
Core Food Categories
- Pre-packaged foods (canned goods, frozen meals, snacks)
- Fresh produce and organic foods
- Processed foods and ready-to-eat products
- Plant-based and alternative protein foods
- Dairy and dairy-alternative products
- Baked goods and specialty baked products
- Confectionery and sugar-free products
- Cereals, grains, pasta, and breakfast foods
- Meat, poultry, and seafood products
- Frozen foods and desserts
Specialized & Regulated Categories
- Functional and fortified foods
- Dietary and allergen-controlled foods
- Meal replacements and protein products
- Supplemented foods (where classified as food)
Non-Alcoholic Beverage Categories We Serve
Core Beverage Categories
- Soft drinks and sparkling beverages
- Juices and juice blends
- Coffee and tea products (hot and ready-to-drink)
- Plant-based beverages (oat, almond, soy, coconut)
- Bottled, spring, purified, and flavoured water
Functional & Wellness Beverages
- Energy drinks
- Sports and electrolyte drinks
- Kombucha and fermented beverages
- Vitamin- and mineral-infused beverages
- Protein shakes and meal-replacement drinks
- Adaptogenic and functional beverages
Regulated & High-Risk Beverage Products
- Supplemented beverages
- Caffeinated beverages
- Novel beverage formulations
- Products with functional, performance, or health-related claims
Regulatory & Compliance Services
Food and Bev Label Review & Regulatory Compliance
We conduct comprehensive food/bev label reviews to ensure compliance with Canadian requirements, including:
- Ingredient and allergen declarations
- Nutrition Facts Table accuracy
- Bilingual labelling requirements
- Nutrient content and health claims
- Marketing and promotional claims
- Alignment with CFIA and Health Canada guidance
Nutrition Facts Table (NFT) Development
Our team assists with:
- NFT creation and validation
- Serving size determination
- Nutrient calculations and substantiation
- Reformulation strategies
- Updates required under current Canadian labelling rules
Front-of-Package (FOP) Nutrition Symbol Labelling
We advise businesses on whether their products are subject to Health Canada’s front-of-package nutrition symbol requirements, and how to implement compliant labelling strategies while managing brand and marketing risk.
Supplemented Food Compliance
For products falling under the supplemented foods framework, we advise on:
- Product classification and eligibility
- Required cautionary statements
- Label content and formatting
- Risk management and enforcement exposure
Food Safety, Licensing & Inspections
SFCR Licensing
We assist businesses engaged in interprovincial or international trade with:
- SFCR licence applications
- Importer and manufacturer licensing
- Ongoing compliance obligations
HACCP & Preventive Control Plans
We support manufacturers, processors, and importers with:
- HACCP and Preventive Control Plan development
- Inspection readiness
- Corrective action planning
- Ongoing food safety compliance
CFIA & Health Canada Audits
We prepare businesses for inspections and audits through:
- Documentation reviews
- Compliance gap analysis
- Inspection response strategies
- Post-inspection remediation
Regulatory Correspondence & Enforcement Response
If your business receives letters, requests, or enforcement actions from regulators, we provide strategic advice on:
- Responding to information requests
- Managing enforcement risk
- Implementing corrective measures
Commercial & Operational Support
Food Manufacturing & Processing Licences
Advice on federal, provincial, and municipal licensing requirements, including facility compliance and operational approvals.
Food Premises & Restaurant Compliance (Ontario)
Support with public health licensing, inspections, and remediation for food premises and food service operators.
Zoning & Municipal Bylaws
Advice on zoning, land-use compliance, and site suitability for food operations.
Contracts & Transactions
- Manufacturing and co-packing agreements
- Supplier and distribution agreements
- Private-label arrangements
- Regulatory due diligence for M&A
- Asset and share purchase transactions
Why Work With Substance Law?
- Focused experience in regulated consumer products
- Deep knowledge of Canadian food law and enforcement
- Practical, business-driven advice
- National reach from a Toronto base
Work With a Food Lawyer in Canada
If you are launching, operating, or scaling a food business in Canada, Substance Law provides the regulatory clarity and legal support you need.
Contact us today to speak with a food lawyer in Canada.
Frequently Asked Questions
A food and beverage lawyer advises businesses on regulatory compliance, labelling, licensing, food safety, inspections, enforcement actions, and transactions under Canadian food law.
While not legally required, a lawyer can identify compliance risks related to ingredients, allergens, nutrition facts, claims, and bilingual requirements that could trigger enforcement or recalls.
SFCR licensing is required for businesses that manufacture, process, treat, preserve, grade, package, or label food (including beverages) for interprovincial or international trade, or that import food into Canada.
Yes. A food lawyer can help prepare for inspections, respond to inspection findings, and manage regulatory correspondence or enforcement actions.
Food and beverage lawyers work with startups, growing brands, and established companies at all stages of the business lifecycle.
Yes. Non-alcoholic beverages are regulated under the Food and Drugs Act and the Safe Food for Canadians Regulations, with additional rules for caffeinated and supplemented products.
Yes. Energy drinks and other caffeinated beverages are subject to specific caffeine limits, disclosure requirements, and marketing restrictions.
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Canada's Law Firm For Regulated Substances
