Canadian Food Safety

How heavily regulated is the Canadian food industry?

Tim O’Connor: Canada’s federal food inspection system is based on World Health Organisation principles and standards and is comparable to those of major developed countries, including the US and Australia.

How many recalls does the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) have in a year?

The CFIA conducts around 3,000 food safety investigations each year. As a result of these investigations, about 350 food recalls are initiated annually to remove certain products from the market. Approximately a third of these recalls are the result of undeclared ingredients that may cause severe allergic reactions. In cases where the product poses a serious health risk, the CFIA issues a public warning, advising consumers through the media. Canadians can sign up for the CFIA’s
‘Allergy Alerts and Food Recalls’ email subscription service available on our website.

How are recalls classified?

There are three classes of food recalls:

• Class I represents a situation in which there is a reasonable probability that the consumption / exposure to a food will lead to adverse health consequences which are serious or life-threatening, or that the probability of a food-borne outbreak situation is considered high.

• Class II represents a situation in which there is a reasonable probability that the consumption / exposure to a food will lead to temporary or non-life threatening health consequences or that the probability of serious adverse consequences is considered remote.

• Class III represents a situation in which there is a reasonable probability that the consumption / exposure to a food is not likely to result in any adverse health consequences.

How does a recall work?

The steps in a recall are:

• Triggers – There are various triggers that initiate a food safety investigation which could lead to a food recall. These triggers can include reports by public health officials, consumer complaints, company-initiated concerns, international reports as well as regular CFIA inspections and testing/sampling programmes. For example, a company may conduct its own sampling and find a problem in its process and initiate a recall.
  In rare circumstances, unsafe food is found because people become ill. In those cases, an epidemiological investigation must be conducted by provincial / territorial public health officials to determine if the cause is a food source. The epidemiological analysis includes the interviewing and laboratory testing of people who have become sick. If a food source is identified and available for testing, the CFIA will sample and test it.

• Investigation – The goal of a food safety investigation is to determine whether a food safety hazard or violation exists and to determine the nature and extent of the problem. Any suspect food product is meticulously traced back to the production or processing facilities to pinpoint the possible source of the problem. Information obtained throughout the investigation provides the basis for the assessment of risk and the development of appropriate
  risk management strategies to control affected products.

• Decision making – The CFIA and Health Canada work as quickly as possible to reach a decision about the risk posed by a product. The level of risk contributes to determining the class of food recall.

• Response – If it is determined that a situation warrants a recall, a news release will be issued notifying the general public and media. The news release is also posted on the CFIA website and sent to its subscriber e-mail list. It is the responsibility of the industry to remove the product from sale or distribution.

• Follow-up – CFIA officials will conduct effectiveness checks to verify that the company has recalled the product effectively. On some occasions, officials from provincial and territorial governments work with the CFIA to conduct effectiveness checks. If the company is unwilling to remove the product from sale and appropriately dispose of it, the CFIA may seize and detain the product. Further administrative actions including prosecution could also take place.

Does the CFIA conduct its own tests?

A network of laboratories across the country assists in investigating consumer concerns and analysing pest and disease survey results. More than 869,000 tests and analyses are performed in CFIA laboratories annually to verify that food safety, animal health, plant protection and quality standards are met. An additional 113,000 tests are done under contract by accredited labs.

Is Canada considered a world leader in terms of plant and animal resources?

As of 2007, the World Organisation for Animal Health has recognised 20 laboratories in Canada as reference laboratories and collaborating centres. Of these, 14 are part of the CFIA’s laboratory system, one resides within Fisheries and Oceans Canada, one with the Public Health Agency of Canada, three are located in veterinary colleges, and one is a private laboratory.

How does the Canadian Government regulate products derived from genetic modification?

In 1993, a Canadian Federal Regulatory Framework for the regulation of biotechnology products was announced by the government. The framework is intended to ensure that the benefits of biotechnology products and processes are realised in a way that protects health, safety, and the environment. Regulatory authority for food products derived from biotechnology falls under several federal departments and agencies such as Health Canada.

Health Canada is responsible for assessing the safety of products derived through biotechnology including foods, drugs, cosmetics, medical devices and pest control products.

Health Canada published the Novel Foods Regulation in the Canada Gazette in 1999. This regulation provides for pre-market notification and review for all novel foods including foods derived from biotechnology. To date, Health Canada has reviewed over 81 novel food submissions. The information requirements for the pre-market safety assessment of novel foods are contained in guidelines which have been in place since 1994. Health Canada has recently revised these guidelines to reflect the advancement of methods and knowledge regarding product reviews.

Health Canada is also responsible for the environmental assessment of products regulated under the Food and Drugs Act, including novel foods. This activity is required by the New Substance Notification Regulations of the Canadian Environmental Protection Act. Health Canada is currently working with Environment Canada to develop regulations to assess the affect on the environment and human health of these products.

The CFIA shares responsibility for the regulation of products derived from biotechnology including plants, animal feeds, fertilisers and veterinary biologics. For genetically modified crop plants, the CFIA assesses the potential risk of adverse environmental effects, authorises and oversees import permits, confined trials, unconfined release and variety registration.