Invite: Canada’s Healthy and Safe Food Regulatory Forum June 17-18 + 12 Online Consultations 2014

This video presents “Something you ate? – Episode 1: Outbreak response – The big picture.”

  • Something you ate?
  • How experts detect and investigate outbreaks of food poisoning.

Image by Health Canada
Image by Health Canada

2014 Healthy and Safe Food Regulatory Forum

Tuesday, June 17, and Wednesday June 18, 2014

Location: Palais des congrès de Gatineau
50 Maisonneuve Boulevard
Gatineau, Quebec, Canada

Forum’s first day plenary session presenters will be broadcast live over the internet on June 17, 2014, starting at 8:30 AM (Eastern Standard Time).

Also, The Draft Integrated Agency Inspection Model‘s webinar is on Tuesday June 17 – 10:30 am to 12:00 pm EST.

This event is a follow-up to the 2013 Food Safety Regulatory Forum and provides participants with the opportunity to discuss a number of food safety modernization initiatives being carried out by the Government of Canada’s Health Portfolio in support of the Safe Food for Canadians Act.

This video presents “Let’s keep a good thing growing!”

  • “The United States and Canada enjoys the largest bilateral trading relationship in the world.
  • Bilateral trade creates jobs and economic opportunites in both the United States and Canada.
  • It builds on our respective efficiencies and creates a more competitive and integrated agri-food sector.
  • View this video for the most recent highlights of this great trading relationship.”

Update – Some Food Safety Consultations: CFIA Comment Period Extended to Aug.29, 2014

Canadians, you are invited to provide your feedback via the following 12 online consultations on a number of topics to be discussed on the 2014 Healthy and Safe Food Regulatory Forum:

  • CFIA and United States Department of Agriculture Framework to recognize control zones during foreign animal disease outbreaks
    • The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) and the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) have released a draft framework for consultation that outlines how Canada and the U.S. will recognize and accept each other’s decisions about animal disease zones in the event of an animal disease outbreak.
    • The CFIA is inviting stakeholders to comment on this framework until August 11, 2014.
    • Interested parties may provide comments by email, fax or mail to
      Cheryl James
      Acting National Manager, Terrestrial Animal Health Epidemiology and Surveillance Section
      Canadian Food Inspection Agency
      Email: cheryl.james@inspection.gc.ca
      Telephone: (613) 773-7499
      Fax: (613) 773-7575
      Floor 3 E, Room 215
      59 Camelot Drive
      Ottawa ON K1A 0Y9
      Canada
  • Food safety modernization
    • A New Regulatory Framework for Federal Food Inspection: Overview of Proposed Regulations
      • The Safe Food for Canadians Act will strengthen and streamline legislative authorities across all food in Canada, whether it is imported or prepared domestically.
        • This will make food safer for Canadians families and increase trade opportunities for Canadian businesses.
        • The Act will come into force when new regulations are adopted.
      • The CFIA would like your feedback on this document.
        • This document provides an overview of the proposed regulatory framework and an early look at the preliminary text for some key elements of the proposed regulations, such as licensing, traceability requirements and preventive control plans.
      • Interested parties may provide comments by email to CFIA-Modernisation-ACIA@inspection.gc.ca.
        • Correspondence should clearly indicate “A New Regulatory Framework for Federal Food Inspection: Overview of Proposed Regulations” in the subject line.
      • Comments received by July 21, 2014 will be considered as the CFIA prepares to pre-publish the proposed regulations in Canada Gazette, Part I.
        • At that time, stakeholders will be able to comment on the full set of proposed regulations for 75 days.
    • CFIA Guidance Documents: Supporting Compliance with the Proposed Safe Food for Canadians Regulations
      • CFIA is committed to providing information to stakeholders that will increase their understanding of the requirements of the proposed Safe Food for Canadians Regulations once they come into force.
        • As part of this commitment, the CFIA is preparing guidance documents to explain the regulatory requirements in a clear and simple manner.
      • The CFIA would like your feedback on its discussion paper.
        • The examples of draft guidance contained in this document are based on proposed regulations.
        • It is important to note that these regulations are not yet final and requirements may change as a result of consultations.
      • Stakeholders may direct their comments or questions about the CFIA‘s guidance documents by email to CFIA-Modernisation-ACIA@inspection.gc.ca, with the words “Guidance Documents Consultation” clearly indicated in the subject line, or by mail to:
        Strategic Partnerships Division
        1400 Merivale Road, Tower 1
        Floor 6, suite 218
        Ottawa, ON K1A 0Y9
        Canada
        Attn: Food Safety Guidance
        CFIA-modernisation-ACIA@inspection.gc.ca
      • Comments received by October 31, 2014 will help the CFIA create guidance documents that allow for broad understanding and consistent application of regulatory requirements.
    • Use of Private Certification to Inform Regulatory Risk-Based Oversight
      • Private certification schemes are formal, documented food safety systems that are developed and administered by the private sector.
        • For a company to achieve certification to a private scheme they must meet specific requirements that are often designed according to internationally accepted standards for food safety.
      • The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) is looking to enhance its approach to risk-based oversight by assessing industry’s use of private certification schemes.
      • As such, the CFIA is seeking feedback from stakeholders on this discussion paper.
        • The consultation will end July 21, 2014.
      • Interested parties may provide comments by email to CFIA-Modernisation-ACIA@inspection.gc.ca.
        • Correspondence should clearly indicate “Use of Private Certification to Inform Regulatory Risk-Based Oversight” in the subject line..
    • Incorporation by Reference
      • Incorporation of documents by reference is a drafting technique that brings the content of a document into a regulation, without the need to reproduce the document in the regulation itself.
        • This is important as it allows the regulations to reflect modern science and new innovations.
      • The CFIA is considering guiding principles in its approach for choosing the documents to be recommended for incorporation by reference, specifically under the new Safe Food for Canadians Act.
        • The new Act provides explicit authority for the incorporation of any document, regardless of its source, into the regulations.
      • The consultation will end on July 21, 2014.
      • Interested parties may provide comments by email to CFIA-Modernisation-ACIA@inspection.gc.ca.
        • Correspondence should clearly indicate “Incorporation by Reference” in the subject line.
      • The views you express may be considered when the CFIA finalizes its policy on Incorporation by Reference.
    • Food Program Framework
      • The Safe Food for Canadians Act will strengthen and streamline legislative authorities across all food in Canada, whether it is imported or prepared domestically.
        • This will make food safer for Canadians families and increase trade opportunities for Canadian businesses.
        • It will come into force when new regulations are adopted.
      • There are a number of initiatives and policy changes under the Government’s broad action plan to modernize food safety.
      • The document describes how the Agency establishes its requirements to regulate all food commodities under a single program within the new federal legislation.
      • Stakeholders may direct their comments or questions about this framework by email, with the words “Food Program Framework” clearly indicated in the subject line, or by mail to:
        Strategic Partnerships Division
        1400 Merivale Road, Tower 1
        Floor 6, suite 218
        Ottawa, ON K1A 0Y9
        Canada
        Attn: Food Program Framework
        CFIA-modernisation-ACIA@inspection.gc.ca
      • Comments received by September 30, 2014 will be considered as the CFIA finalizes its framework.
    • Foreign Food Safety Systems Recognition: Proposed Framework
      • The Safe Food for Canadians Act will strengthen and streamline legislative authorities across all food in Canada, whether it is imported or prepared domestically.
        • It will come into force when new regulations are adopted.
      • There are a number of initiatives and policy-related activities under the Government’s broad action plan to modernize food safety.
      • The Canadian Food Inspection Agency’s (CFIA) proposed framework on Foreign Food Safety Systems Recognition explains Canada’s approach in establishing confidence in the food safety systems of other countries.
      • Stakeholders may direct their comments or questions about this framework by email, with the words “Foreign Food Safety Systems Recognition” clearly indicated in the subject line, or by mail to:
        Strategic Partnerships Division
        1400 Merivale Road, Tower 1
        Floor 6, suite 218
        Ottawa, ON K1A 0Y9
        Canada
        Attn: Food Program Framework
        CFIA-modernisation-ACIA@inspection.gc.ca
      • Comments received by July 21, 2014 will be considered as the CFIA finalizes its framework.
    • This video presents “Canada’s Meat Industry – The Canadian Advantage.”
    • Draft Compliance, Control And Enforcement Framework
      • The Framework describes the CFIA‘s vision and approach for facilitating and verifying compliance, preventing non-compliance, controlling risk and responding to non-compliance.
      • Interested parties may provide comments by email to CFIA-Modernisation-ACIA@inspection.gc.ca.
      • Correspondence should clearly indicate “Draft Compliance, Control and Enforcement Framework” in the subject line.
      • Comments received by October 31, 2014 will be considered in the finalization of the framework and associated documents.
    • Draft Compliance Promotion Strategy
      • This draft strategy describes how the CFIA, other governments, industry, academia, non-governmental organizations and consumers can work together to promote regulatory parties’ compliance with the CFIA‘s legislative requirements.
        • The strategy builds on feedback collected during earlier rounds of consultation.
      • Interested parties may provide comments by email to CFIA-Modernisation-ACIA@inspection.gc.ca.
        Correspondence should clearly indicate “Draft Compliance Promotion Strategy” in the subject line.
      • Comments received by October 31, 2014 will be considered in the final Compliance Promotion Strategy and its supporting implementation plan.
    •  Enhancing Risk Analysis: A more systematic and consistent approach
      • The Safe Food for Canadians Act will strengthen and streamline legislative authorities across all food in Canada, whether it is imported or prepared domestically.
        • It will come into force when new regulations are adopted.
      • There are a number of initiatives and policy changes under the Government’s broad action plan to modernize food safety.
      • The CFIA currently uses risk analysis in its decision making.
      • The document describes the proposal to enhance the application of risk analysis in guiding the CFIA‘s regulatory oversight activities to protect food safety, consumer protection and human, plant and animal health.
      • Interested parties may provide comments by email to CFIA-Modernisation-ACIA@inspection.gc.ca, with the words “Enhancing Risk Analysis” clearly indicated in the subject line, or by mail to:
        • Strategic Partnerships Division
          1400 Merivale Road, Tower 1
          Floor 6, suite 218
          Ottawa, ON K1A 0Y9
          CanadaAttn: Enhancing Risk Analysis
          CFIA-modernisation-ACIA@inspection.gc.ca
        • Comments received by October 31, 2014 will be considered as the CFIA finalizes its framework.
  •  The Draft Integrated Agency Inspection Model
  • Canada’s contribution to the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) standard-setting process
    • The OIE Delegates are responsible for coordinating comments on these standards and guidelines.
      • The current Canadian Delegate to the OIE is Dr. Martine Dubuc, Chief Food Safety Officer for Canada, and the comments, on behalf of Canada, are coordinated through her office.
    • The consultation process takes place twice a year, usually in the summer and in the fall, after the Commissions meet.
      • Revised and draft texts of the relevant standards are provided electronically to seek scientific and expert views and comments from all sectors throughout Canada—federal government departments, provincial veterinary authorities, industry, academia and non-governmental organizations.
      • Comments received by the Canadian Delegate’s office are reviewed, and, if they are supported by appropriate scientific rationale, they will then form part of Canada’s official comments on the revised and draft texts.
      • At the OIE‘s Specialist Commission level, those comments that are supported by sound scientific information or validated by working groups composed of subject matter experts will be taken into account and draft standards may be revised accordingly.
    • If you have subscribed to the email notification services for OIE consultations, you will receive the reports of the Terrestrial Animal Health Standards Commission for review and comment.
      • Please send your comments, revisions and supporting scientific rationale via email, fax or mail to:
        Andrea Ellis
        Veterinary Science Advisor to the OIE Delegate
        Andrea.Ellis@inspection.gc.ca
        Tel: (226) 217-8399 (48399)
        Fax: (226) 217-8491
        174 Stone Rd. W
        Guelph ON N1G 4S9
        Canada
      • For all other OIE-related inquiries, please contact Andrea Ellis at the above coordinates.

For more info about the above consultations, please click here.

Due to the overwhelming interest this year, the Forum’s first day plenary session presenters will be broadcast live over the internet on June 17, 2014, starting at 8:30 AM (Eastern Standard Time).

Contact Info:
Email: CFIA-Modernisation-ACIA@inspection.gc.ca
Fax: 1-613-773-5606

What information is available?

NEWS RELEASE

Government to host broad consultation on improvements to Canada’s food safety system

Government, industry and consumers to discuss new food regulations and other enhancements

June 16, 2014 – Ottawa, ON – Canadian Food Inspection Agency

Government officials will meet with representatives from industry and consumer groups tomorrow to discuss the Government of Canada’s ongoing efforts to strengthen food safety.

Proposed regulations under the Safe Food for Canadians Act will be the focus of the Government of Canada’s Healthy and Safe Food Regulatory Forum in Gatineau, Quebec. The regulations are designed to apply stronger and more consistent oversight to all food, whether it is imported or produced in Canada.

Minister Ambrose and senior officials from the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA), Health Canada and the Public Health Agency of Canada will also outline additional steps that the Government is taking to provide increased oversight of Canada’s food safety system and protect consumers.

Interested parties can review and provide comments on the proposed regulations and related initiatives through the CFIA website.

A live webcast of Minister Ambrose’s speech, as well as other presentations will be available on the CFIA website starting at 8:30 a.m.

Associated Links

Communiqué de presse  

Le gouvernement tiendra une vaste consultation concernant l’amélioration du système de salubrité des aliments du Canada

Le gouvernement, des membres de l’industrie et des consommateurs discuteront du nouveau projet de règlement sur les aliments et d’autres améliorations.

Le 16 juin 2014 – Ottawa (Ontario) – Agence canadienne d’inspection des aliments

Des représentants du gouvernement rencontreront des représentants de l’industrie et des groupes de consommateurs demain pour discuter des efforts déployés de façon continue par le gouvernement du Canada pour renforcer la salubrité des aliments.

Le projet de règlement relevant de la Loi sur la salubrité des aliments au Canada sera le principal point abordé lors du Forum sur la réglementation d’aliments sains et salubres de 2014 à Gatineau, au Québec. Ce projet de règlement vise à assurer une surveillance plus rigoureuse et plus uniforme de tous les aliments importés ou produits au Canada.

La ministre Rona Ambrose et des hauts fonctionnaires de l’Agence canadienne d’inspection des aliments (ACIA), de Santé Canada et de l’Agence de la santé publique du Canada présenteront aussi d’autres mesures que prendra le gouvernement pour assurer une surveillance plus étroite du système de salubrité des aliments du Canada et protéger les consommateurs.

Les parties intéressées peuvent examiner et commenter le projet de règlement et les initiatives connexes sur le site Web de l’ACIA.

Le discours du ministre Rona Ambrose ainsi que d’autres présentations seront diffusés en direct sur le site Web de l’ACIA à partir de 8 h 30.

Liens connexes

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