OTTAWA — The Harper government has introduced the “Safe Food for Canadians Act.”
“Our Government is committed to making food as safe as possible for Canadian families,” said Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz. “The ‘Safe Food for Canadians Act’ strengthens and modernizes our food-safety system to make sure it continues to provide safe food for Canadians.”
The Act stipulates a more stringent and consistent inspection system; better control over imports and exports; a strengthening of food traceability; and more severe penalties for food providers and manufacturers who put the health of Canadians at risk.
The Act consolidates four existing legislative laws — the Fish Inspection Act, the Canada Agricultural Products Act, the Meat Inspection Act, and the food provisions of the Consumer Packaging and Labelling Act. It also provides a new mechanism for regulated parties to seek review of certain decisions made by Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA ) officials.
According Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz current laws are outdated. “Clear, consistent rules for inspectors and industry overall, will ultimately make food safer for Canadians,” the minister was quoted as saying by CBC News.
To read the “Safe Food for Canadians Act,” visit inspection.gc.ca.
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