Canadian Government invests $30.7m in enhancing food safety

The Canadian Government has announced a $30.7m investment for setting up a Food Safety Information Network (FSIN) that will help the country strengthen its food safety.

The Canadian Minister of Transport Lisa Raitt made the announcement about the investment on World Health Day, on behalf of the Minister of Health Rona Ambrose.

The network is aimed at connecting federal and provincial food safety laboratories and regulators across the country to identify, mobilise and co-ordinate laboratory surge capacity and capabilities during complex food safety incidents and emergencies, and also to allow for near-real time sharing.

The organisation and analysis of food safety information across the country will help inform more preventive and timely risk management decisions that could result in the enhancement of Canada’s ability to anticipate and detect the threat of routine foodborne diseases.

Rona Ambrose said: "Our government is committed to ensuring that Canadian families have confidence in the food they buy and eat. Everyone has a role to play in food safety. We are committed to working with all partners to ensure Canadians have access to healthy and safe food.

"Today’s announcement of the Food Safety Information Network means better protection for the health and safety of Canadian families."

A collaborative initiative developed by the federal government with the provinces and territories, the FSIN will be implemented by the government incrementally over five years.

Federal partners would include the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA), Health Canada, and the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC).

Lisa Raitt said: "Today’s investments mean near real-time sharing of food safety information and laboratory data, allowing the government to better manage emerging issues and respond to food safety incidents and emergencies.

"I am confident that food safety experts at the Greater Toronto Laboratory will be better connected, and able to share their work with food safety authorities across Canada."

---

Image: The aim of the FSIN is to connect federal and provincial food safety laboratories and regulators across the country. Photo: courtesy of franky242/freedigitalphotos.net.