T8-10 Safe Food for Canadians Regulations

Tuesday, July 11, 2017: 4:15 PM
Room 16 (Tampa Convention Center)
Richard Arsenault , Canadian Food Inspection Agency , Ottawa , Canada
Kevin McBain , Canadian Food Inspection Agency , Ottawa , Canada
Introduction: Canada has one of the best food safety systems in the world. However, continuous improvement is needed to maintain Canadians' access to safe food.

Purpose: The Safe Food for Canadians Act, which received Royal Assent in November, 2012, establishes a modern and robust legislative framework for the safety of food commodities sold to Canadians. It also provides ongoing reviews of the federal food safety system in Canada.

Methods: The Act focuses on improving food safety oversight, streamlining and strengthening legislative authorities, and enhancing international market opportunities for Canadian industry. With an anticipated coming-into-force date of 2018, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency will publish draft regulations in early 2017 to support the Act.

Results: Consistency of approaches with international jurisdictions has been a priority in developing the regulations.

Significance: This presentation will be of interest to United States. and international food entities with business relationships in Canada. It will also serve to inform them of what the Safe Food for Canadians Regulations could mean for their businesses.