CFIA opens window on enforcement
March 16, 2011 – Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz says the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) will now publish information about compliance and enforcement activities being taken to protect the safety of the Canadian food, animal and plant supply.
In a news release, Ritz said "consumers want more information and we are delivering that transparency around what we are doing to protect Canadian families. This will give our inspectors another tool in the toolbox to shine the light of transparency on repeat offenders and companies that try and import unsafe food."
The CFIA will report on the outcomes of its enforcement activities.
"We have always encouraged full disclosure of food safety information to boost consumer safety and confidence. This initiative is a step in the right direction," said Bob Kingston, President of the Agriculture Union, Public Service Alliance of Canada (PSAC), which represents federal food inspectors and lab technicians.
Starting March 16, the Government of Canada has begun publishing information on its compliance and enforcement activities on its website. The information includes:
* food imports that have been refused entry into Canada;
* federally registered food establishments whose licenses have been suspended, cancelled or reinstated;
* notices of violations with warning and penalties, including identifying repeat offenders of animal transport regulations.
To find out more, visit: http://www.inspection.gc.ca.