New romaine lettuce requirements have been established by the Canadian government in the wake of multiple E. coli outbreaks linked to that product imported from the United States. This move caught industry off guard. From 2017 to 2019, romaine lettuce from California was linked to E. coli outbreaks in Canada and the United States. The … Read more
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) is going to begin issuing Administrative Monetary Penalties (AMPs) for violations by food businesses that violate federal food safety rules. The penalties will range from a Notice of Violation with no monetary penalty up to a maximum $15,000 for serious offenses or repeat violators. These penalties are another option … Read more
In Canada, recalled pork products are the suspected source of an E. coli outbreak that has sickened at least 14 people in Alberta. A February 16 recall has been updated to include additional information. The recalled raw pork and pork organ products, supplied by Hillview Meat Processor, may include raw muscle meat cuts, ground pork, sausages, … Read more
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) has released its National Microbiological Monitoring Program 2011-2012 Annual Report. The report shows that more than 98% of foods sampled met Health Canada safety guidelines and standards. The government tests a wide range of food for microbial hazards and extraneous material such as glass and metal objects. The testing … Read more
Canada’s Auditor General is critical of that country’s food recall procedures. In the 2013 Fall Report, several areas that need improvement were listed. While the first three steps in the recall process, which includes identifying the issue, conducting an investigation, and making decisions worked well, follow-up activities were criticized. Chapter 4 of the report details … Read more
The review of the XL Foods Inc. beef recall and E. coli O157:H7 outbreak last year in Canada found that the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) had a “relaxed attitude” toward safety standards and XL Foods did not act quickly enough to fix the problem. That outbreak, which occurred September and October 2012, sickened 18 … Read more
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) has suspended operations at St. Ann’s Foods, Establishment 287, effective February 7, 2013. The company failed to correct deficiencies in hygienic practices that were found in earlier inspections. While St. Ann’s Foods had an acceptable action plan that they presented to the government, they did not demonstrate “consistent or … Read more
Food & Water Watch released USDA inspection records this week from foreign meat plants that reveal problems of how deregulated meat inspection regimes can put US consumers at risk. The organization filed a Freedom of Information Act with the USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) for foreign establishment audit checklists for all audits the … Read more
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) has released a statement about the Capital Packers facility (Establishment 231) in Edmonton, Alberta that produced the recalled Capital brand and Compliments brand ham sausages. Government investigators found a positive sample of Listeria monocytogenes on the sleeve of a worker’s uniform. The plant was closed when the CFIA found … Read more
The Canadian House of Commons has approved Canada’s new federal food safety law Bill S-11. The vote was unanimous. The plan was passed by the Senate in October 2012. The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) has detailed provisions of the plan. Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz said, “Canadian families will be better protected by the passage of the … Read more