Launch Your Burnaby Other Snack Food Manufacturing Venture Now
This page is your practical starter guide to launching NAICS 311919 – Other Snack Food Manufacturing – in Burnaby. You’ll find a clear 13-item requirements checklist, a high‑level permits and licenses overview, and realistic cost and timeline windows to plan with confidence. Whether you’re upgrading from a home kitchen or pivoting from another sector, this guide turns the rules into an actionable path.
What you’ll learn: the 13 requirements you’ll need to meet, including Burnaby business licensing, zoning/land use approval, food premises permits, health and safety compliance, labeling and packaging rules, and inspections. We’ll break down expected costs—from equipment and facility fit-out to licensing fees—and typical timelines from application to first inspection. You’ll also get practical tips to move approvals faster and stay compliant.
Why Burnaby? With easy access to Vancouver-area suppliers, logistics networks, and a growing snack market, Burnaby also offers affordable industrial space and a friendly business climate. This city‑business combo provides a solid, practical launchpad for your 13-step startup journey.
Requirements Overview
The most critical requirement for operating a snack food manufacturing business in Burnaby is Canada Organic Certification. This certification is legally required if you plan to label or sell products as organic, and you cannot operate as an organic producer without it. This is non-negotiable. Note that FOODSAFE Certification is also essential for anyone who handles food in your facility and is likewise mandatory.
Mandatory Operational Requirements: health, safety, and permits. To operate in BC, you’ll need a BC Food Service Premises Permit (Health Authority). All staff who handle food should hold FOODSAFE Certification. If your products fall under federally regulated safe foods, you may also need a Safe Food for Canadians (SFC) License. A HACCP program is required to identify and control food safety hazards, and you should have a Food Recall and Traceability Plan in place. Ensure WorkSafeBC coverage for your workers and full compliance with the BC Employment Standards Act. Don’t forget that your labeling must meet Food Labeling Requirements.
Business Registration & Tax: set up the essential numbers. You’ll need a Business Number (BN) Registration with the federal government and BC Business Name Registration if you’re operating as a sole proprietorship or partnership. Plan for GST/HST Registration to handle sales tax and Payroll Deductions Registration to manage employee withholdings. These registrations keep your business compliant and streamline taxes, payroll, and reporting.
Encouragement and next steps: take it step by step and don’t rush the basics. Start by confirming which CRITICAL items apply to your plan (Canada Organic Certification and FOODSAFE), then secure the necessary licenses, build your HACCP and recall/traceability plans, and set up labeling processes. Once the operational foundations are in place, complete the required business registrations and tax numbers, and you’ll be well on your way to a compliant, ready-to-operate Burnaby snack facility.
Detailed Requirements
Here are the specific requirements for starting a other snack food manufacturing in Burnaby:
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BC Employment Standards Act Compliance RequiredEmployer compliance with BC Employment Standards Act requirements for wages, hours, and working conditions BC Employment Standards Act sets minimum requirements for all employers. Minimum wage: $17.85/hour (effective June 1, 2025). Standard hours: 8 hours/day, 40 hours/week. Overtime: time-and-a-half after 8 hours/day or 40 hours/week. 5 paid sick days required. Vacation: 2 weeks after 1 year, 3 weeks after 5 years. Contact Employment Standards Branch: 1-833-236-3700.
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Business Number (BN) Registration RequiredA 9-digit Business Number is required for most businesses operating in Canada. It is used to interact with the Canada Revenue Agency and other federal programs. Required for GST/HST, payroll, corporation income tax, and import/export accounts. Register FREE online through Business Registration Online (BRO) at canada.ca. Takes 15-30 minutes. As of November 3, 2025, online registration is MANDATORY for new BNs - phone registration no longer available. You'll need: business name, address, owner SIN, business type, and start date. BN (9-digit number) issued INSTANTLY online. Available 21 hours/day, 7 days/week (closed 3-6am ET for maintenance).
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Safe Food for Canadians (SFC) License RequiredFederal license required for food manufacturing businesses that export, import, or trade food interprovincially. Issued by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) under the Safe Food for Canadians Act and Regulations. Apply through My CFIA portal. Fee: $250 for 2-year license. Required for importing food, interprovincial trade, or export. As of Feb 12, 2024, valid SFC license MUST be declared at import to avoid delays. Need: My CFIA account, preventive control plan (PCP), establishment info. Get license BEFORE importing - cannot obtain at border. Contact: 1-800-442-2342.
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HACCP (Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point) Program RequiredMandatory preventive food safety system that identifies, evaluates, and controls hazards significant to food safety. Required for all federally licensed food establishments and recommended for provincial operations. Not a separate registration - HACCP principles are integrated into Preventive Control Plan (PCP) required under Safe Food for Canadians Regulations (SFCR). Develop written PCP identifying hazards and control measures. Based on 7 HACCP principles. Required for most SFC license holders. Food Safety Enhancement Program (FSEP) plans can serve as PCP. Contact CFIA: 1-800-442-2342.
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Canada Organic Certification RequiredOrganic Certification requirement for businesses in this jurisdiction. This certification requirement ensures compliance with provincial regulations, protects consumers, and maintains industry standards. Requirements typically include business registration, professional qualifications or training, facility standards where applicable, insurance coverage, and adherence to relevant codes of practice. Specific details vary by province and business type. Businesses must consult relevant provincial authorities, regulatory colleges, or licensing bodies for complete requirements. Operating without required certification may result in fines, closure orders, or inability to legally operate. Obtain organic certification from CFIA-accredited certification body to use Canada Organic logo. Annual audit required.
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BC Business Name Registration (Sole Proprietorship/Partnership) RequiredRegistration of sole proprietorship or partnership business names with BC Registries Register sole proprietorship or partnership at bcregistry.gov.bc.ca. Name reservation: $30 (standard) or $100 (priority 1-2 days). Registration fee: $40. Total: ~$70. Name reserved for 56 days after approval. Registration is continuous (no renewal required). No name protection for sole proprietorships. Personal names operating under own name do not require registration. Contact BC Registries: 1-877-526-1526.
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FOODSAFE Certification RequiredFood handler safety certification program recognized in British Columbia for food service workers and managers FOODSAFE certification for food service workers in BC. Level 1: ~$95 (online correspondence), 8-hour course. Level 2 (managers): $195-250, 2-day course. Valid for 5 years. Training providers across BC and online. Recognized by all BC health authorities. Contact: foodsafe.ca
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BC Food Service Premises Permit (Health Authority) RequiredFood premises permit required for restaurants, food service establishments, and food processors in British Columbia issued by regional Health Authorities Apply through your regional Health Authority Environmental Health office. No provincial fee (Health Authority may charge). Requires FOODSAFE trained staff, plan approval, and inspection. Must comply with BC Food Premises Regulation. Operating permit required before opening. Contact your local Health Authority Environmental Health.
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Food Labeling Requirements ConditionalRequired for CFIA-regulated activities. All pre-packaged food must comply with federal labeling requirements, including ingredient lists, nutrition facts, allergen declarations, and bilingual labeling (English/French). No registration - compliance requirement under SFCR and Food and Drugs Act. Labels must include: product name, net quantity, dealer name/address, ingredient list, nutrition facts, allergen declarations. Bilingual (English/French) required for most products. Use CFIA labeling tool to check requirements. Contact: 1-800-442-2342.
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GST/HST Registration ConditionalRequired if annual taxable revenue exceeds $30,000 (small supplier threshold). Taxi/ride-share drivers must register regardless of revenue. Businesses with gross revenues over $30,000 in any single quarter or over four consecutive quarters must register for, collect, and remit GST/HST. Small suppliers (under $30,000) may register voluntarily. Register FREE online through Business Registration Online (BRO) when your revenue exceeds $30,000 in any 4 consecutive quarters (small supplier threshold). Takes 15-30 minutes. You MUST register within 29 days of exceeding threshold and start charging GST/HST immediately on the sale that made you exceed it. Need your BN (or get one simultaneously). As of Nov 3, 2025, online registration is mandatory. Voluntary registration available anytime for input tax credits.
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Payroll Deductions Registration ConditionalRequired if you pay salaries, wages, or other remuneration to employees. Must register before first pay period. Required if you have employees. You must withhold Canada Pension Plan (CPP), Employment Insurance (EI), and income tax from employee wages and remit to CRA. Register FREE online through Business Registration Online (BRO) when you hire your first employee. Takes 15-20 minutes. You'll need your Business Number (BN) or can get one simultaneously. Payroll account (RP) added to your BN instantly. Register BEFORE your first pay date. Required to deduct CPP, EI, and income tax from employee wages. For 2025: CPP rate 5.95%, EI employee rate $1.66/$100 insurable earnings.
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WorkSafeBC Coverage and Registration ConditionalRequired if you have workers in BC. Workers compensation insurance coverage through WorkSafeBC for employers in British Columbia WorkSafeBC coverage required for most BC employers. Average base premium rate: 1.55% of assessable payroll ($1.55 per $100). Register online at worksafebc.com. Apply 30 days before starting business or hiring workers. Processing: ~10 business days. Premium rates vary by industry classification (514 classification units). COR certified employers eligible for 10% rebate. Contact: 604-276-3100 or 1-888-967-5377.
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Food Recall and Traceability Plan ConditionalRequired for CFIA-regulated activities. Requirements to maintain records for food traceability and have a documented food recall plan. Enables rapid identification and removal of unsafe food products from the supply chain. No registration - requirement under SFCR to have traceability system and recall procedures. Must trace food one step back (supplier) and one step forward (customer). Records must allow tracing within 24 hours. Include in Preventive Control Plan. Required for SFC license holders. Contact CFIA for recall assistance: 1-800-442-2342.
Funding & Grants
Available funding programs that may apply to your other snack food manufacturing:
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A $25.7M program under the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership open to not-for-profit and Indigenous organizations. AAFC contributes up to 70% of eligible costs (max $1M/year or $5M over 5 years; $100K/year or $500K for national fair projects). In-kind contributions capped at 15% of total. Priority intake closed May 30, 2025; …
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A provincial personal and corporate income tax credit for arm's-length investors who purchase shares in certified eligible NL small businesses. The credit is 35% for businesses operating outside the North East Avalon region and 20% for businesses within the North East Avalon. Maximum annual credit is $50,000 per investor. Carry-forward: …
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A non-refundable 10% corporate income tax credit on eligible capital investments made by PEI corporations involved in manufacturing and processing. Claimed via T2 Schedule 321 filed with the corporation's T2 return. An additional Enriched Investment Tax Credit (up to 25%) is available through Innovation PEI for strategic-sector manufacturers requiring pre-approval …
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The APITC offers a 12% tax credit on eligible capital expenditures for qualifying agri-processing projects. Eligible activities include food, beverage, meat, alternative protein, animal feed, biofuel, biochemical, bioplastics, cosmetics, and natural health product manufacturing. The credit is non-refundable and non-transferable, claimable against Alberta corporate income tax over up to 10 …
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APIP grants cover 12% of a project's eligible capital costs, calculated based on the capital cost estimate at time of application. Both new facilities and brownfield expansions are eligible, with a minimum capital investment of $50 million required. Grant payments for projects under $150 million are made within one year …
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