The Senate of Canada has adopted the Safe Food for Canadians Act (S-11) Act, which will provide the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) more tools and resources to help keep Canadian food safe.
The new act will provide CFIA with some key tools such as - an enhanced ability for inspectors to compel food producers to provide information in a timely and standardized manner; and the authority for CFIA to require traceability systems for food producers by way of regulation.
Together, these measures will help find products faster in recall situations so they can be removed from the shelves quicker and in a more comprehensive way.
Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz said that Canadian consumers have been the government's top priority when it comes to food safety.
"This legislation demonstrates the Harper Government's commitment to strengthening Canada's food safety system and we hope this legislation is passed expeditiously by Members of Parliament," Ritz added.
The Act will also allow tougher penalties for intentional activities that put the health and safety of Canadians at risk; a more consistent inspection regime across all food commodities; and better control over imports and exports.
