Canada looks to update food safety laws

From a May 11 report from the USDA FAS, signs that the U.S. and Canada are once again in harmonic convergence, this time on food safety.

GOC INTRODUCES IMPROVED IMPORT SAFETY LEGISLATION: The Canadian government introduced legislation in the House of Commons this week that will allow Ottawa to be tougher on food and consumer products that endanger the safety of Canadians. This legislation is yet another step in the government’s Food and Consumer Safety Action Plan, first announced in December 2007. Highlights of the legislation announced in the government’s press statement are: (1) new powers for the federal government to order recalls of unsafe products, (2) increases in fines for violations, (3) A crack down on negligent, manufacturers, importers and retailers who knowingly endanger their customers, (4) improved access to public information on product safety, and (5) a requirement of mandatory reporting by suppliers of serious product-related incidents. The legislation package proposes amendments to the Food and Drug Act, as well as a new Canada Consumer Product Safety Act. Like the US who is in the process of strengthening its import safety laws after recalls of products from China that threatened consumer’s health, Canada feels that the current the provisions of the 1969 Hazardous Product Act are out of step with current import flows and need to be updated to reflect the times. Details of Bill C-52, an act respecting the safety of consumer products is available at the following website: www2.parl.gc.ca/HousePublications/Publication.aspx?Docid=3397415&file=4