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liaison - Volume 2, Number 1, Fall 2011 - Special Edition
Table of Contents
- Message from the President
- Safeguarding Food, Animals and Plant Life
- Partners in the Food Chain Work Together to Meet Health and Safety Objectives
- Extensive Laboratory Network Supports Surveillance and Emergency Response
- Monitoring Imports and Facilitating Exports
- Mobilizing Resources for Investigations and Recalls
- Enforcing Regulations and Verifying Compliance
Food for Feedback Fodder
The CFIA welcomes the readership of liaison Magazine to send in comments, suggestions and contributions. Ideas or manuscripts are welcome for commentaries, essays or feature stories of common interest to our readers. All correspondence will be answered and contributions considered for publication. Please include a name, e-mail address and telephone number. Send in any feedback to liaison Magazine, 59 Camelot Drive, Ottawa, ON, K1A 0Y9 or e-mail LiasonMagazine@inspection.gc.ca.
Message from the President
George Da Pont
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency is committed to protecting and enhancing the health and well-being of Canadians and the environment. Our programs and services also contribute to the economy.
Our mission is focused on food safety, animal health and the protection of plant life. In carrying out these responsibilities we work with other levels of government, industry and consumer groups to provide the best possible service to Canadians.
This special edition of liaison provides Canadians with an idea of the scope of what we do at the Canadian Food Inspection Agency and some statistics that illustrate this. We've focused on our activities in the fiscal year from April 2010 to March 2011.
We hope this information will give readers an appreciation of the breadth and scope of our activities in areas such as laboratory testing, enforcement and compliance, investigations, recalls and much more. For more information, you can also visit our website at www.inspection.gc.ca.
Safeguarding Food, Animals and Plant Life
The CFIA enforces health and safety standards for food, animals and plant life products traded nationally and internationally. The agency also monitors the safety of food sold in Canada by sharing its expertise with provincial, territorial, regional and municipal jurisdictions. The CFIA plays a critical role in investigations and provides scientific expertise, but it is only one organization involved in regulating and enforcing health and safety standards in Canada.
Food safety comprises approximately 47 percent of the agency's budget, animal health spending accounts for about 18 percent, plant protection spending amounts to around 11 percent, roughly six percent goes to international collaboration and about 18 percent is dedicated to internal services.
CFIA Inspectors and Staff -
April 2010 to March 2011
- Maintaining food safety systems to prevent, detect and manage the risk of contamination at various stages of food production and processing
- Incorporating health, welfare and biosecurity measures to prevent, control and manage diseases in animal populations
- Protecting food crops, horticulture products and forests from pests, diseases and other environmental hazards
The CFIA operates 15 program areas under the federal legislative authority of 13 acts and 42 sets of regulations. Agency programs are divided into the areas of food safety, animal health and protection of plant life. Operations are coordinated across Canada through four area offices - Western, Ontario, Quebec and Atlantic - 18 regional offices, 185 field offices and 408 offices in commercial locations such as processing facilities. The agency has over 7,000 employees.
CFIA Program Activities
Food Safety
- Inspection Systems and Hygiene Practices for Beef, Pork, Poultry and Exotic Meats
- Fish and Seafood
- Fresh Fruits and Vegetables
- Dairy Products
- Eggs
- Honey
- Processed Products
- Food Safety Investigations and Recalls
- Fair Labelling Practices
Animal Health
- Terrestrial Animal Health, including Biosecurity/ Welfare/ Humane Transportation
- Aquatic Animal Health
- Animal Feed
Protection of Plant Life
- Plant Protection, including Food Crops, Horticulture and Forestry Products
- Seeds
- Fertilizers
CFIA Legislative Authority
Food Safety
- Food and Drugs Act
- Meat Inspection Act
- Fish Inspection Act
- Canada Agricultural Products Act
- Consumer Packaging and Labelling Act
Animal Health
- Health of Animals Act
- Feeds Act
Protection of Plant Life
- Plant Protection Act
- Seeds Act
- Fertilizers Act
- Plant Breeders' Rights Act
Administration
- Canadian Food Inspection Agency Act
- Agriculture and Agri-Food Administrative Monetary Penalties Act
CFIA Operational and Regulatory Activities
- Inspection systems and licensing for meat, poultry and dairy products, fish and seafood, live animals, fresh produce, processed products, plant seeds, food crops, animal feed mills and rendering plants
- Surveillance and monitoring programs that sample and test food and animal feed for contaminants
- Permits, certificates and declarations for products imported into Canada and Canadian products for export
- Enforcement of packaging and labelling standards for food products, including nutritional quality and health claims
- Veterinary services for animal health and welfare, disease control and biosecurity
- Environmental and risk assessments for seeds, crops, fertilizers, horticulture and forestry products, including biotechnology plants, feeds, fertilizers and veterinary biologics (pesticides are assessed by Health Canada)
Federal Management of the Food Safety System in Canada
- Health Canada sets policies and standards for the safety of food products and food labelling
- The Public Health Agency of Canada links with provincial health officials, monitors human illnesses and provides expert advice regarding foodborne illness and outbreaks
- The CFIA works with the Public Health Agency of Canada and Health Canada to monitor food additives, maximum residue limits for drugs, chemicals and various contaminants in food products, the safety of animal feed and veterinary drugs, food safety investigations, assessments and recalls when necessary
- The Canada Border Services Agency monitors import shipments into Canada in collaboration with the CFIA
- Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada addresses the agricultural production and marketing of food animals and crops
- Fisheries and Oceans Canada is involved in managing the health of waterways and aquatic life, which is harvested as food
- Industry Canada plays a role in regulating the commercial sale of food products
- Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada facilitates multi-lateral negotiations involving food, animal and plant life products
Dr. Darla Roguel: Making Moments Memorable
Dr. Darla Roguel
Making Moments Memorable
Dr. Darla Roguel is one of Toronto region's veterinary officers. This means that she provides technical advice and export certification services to meat processing establishments and stakeholders throughout the region.
Darla's work helps CFIA regional staff, industry and members of the general public better understand meat and meat product export regulations. She reviews meat and meat products export certificates and supporting documents with impartiality to safety issues and the economic ramifications of verifying that importing country requirements are met, that correct and updated forms are used, and that the information provided is accurate and complete.
Beyond this, Darla provides all new slaughter inspectors with orientation and their initial basic meat hygiene training. She developed and delivers a customized training program.
"I have discovered that there are so many gifted people everywhere, and when given the chance or opportunity to shine, these people can make a huge difference," says Darla.
Partners in the Food Chain Work Together to Meet Health and Safety Objectives
The production of food starts in fields, barns, greenhouses, waterways and facilities that grow and culture food products. Food animals, crops, fresh produce and animal commodities such as milk, eggs and honey all make their way to mills, distillers, juicers, dairy plants, feedlots, auction barns, abattoirs, canneries, packaging terminals and other processing establishments.
Oversight of the Food Supply Chain in Canada
Provincial and territorial governments regulate agriculture, aquaculture and the commercial production of food products sold within their jurisdictions. Producers on farms, waterways and at growing facilities are regulated by provinces, territories and municipalities through public health regulations, environmental laws, animal health and welfare standards, and the guidance of various codes of practice. Agricultural inputs such as animal feed and supplements, veterinary drugs and biologics, plant seeds, fertilizers, pesticides and biotechnology developments are regulated by CFIA and Health Canada.
Federally Registered Establishments 2011
The CFIA shares responsibility with provincial governments for sampling and testing protocols in food products and food processing inspection systems. Food companies - licensed, inspected and audited by government - are responsible for sampling and testing of food products on-site at processing establishments and at critical stages along production lines. In addition, the food industry must follow regulations for packaging and labelling, proper storage and transportation, including transporting live animals. Food processors use domestic and imported ingredients to manufacture food products that are considered processed when they are cooked, cured, frozen, refrigerated, freeze-dried or baked, and packaged, canned or sealed air-tight.
The CFIA inspects domestic and imported products and verifies food safety procedures at registered establishments through both inspections and audits.
The retail sector, restaurants, catering services and farmers' markets are regulated at the provincial, territorial and municipal level for on-site hygiene and food safety. Local authorities often initiate food safety investigations in these establishments based on inspections, complaints or illnesses. The same establishments are subject to federal standards for packaging, labelling and displaying raw meat and fresh produce. They are also expected to comply with food recalls and remove hazardous products from the marketplace.
All jurisdictions and organizations along the food supply continuum are important players in maintaining a food safety system in Canada by working together in collaboration.
Dr. Vasily Grebennikov: Shaking the Trees
Dr. Vasily Grebennikov
Shaking the Trees
Dr. Vasily Grebennikov's research goal is to generate knowledge on insects; mainly beetles that feed on plant tissue, which pose a risk to Canadian plant life resources and can impact on the economics of the sector.
"Many different species can arrive in our country and do incredible damage to our plant life. And this can happen without us being aware of it or being in control of the situation," says Vasily. "My task is to get to know a fraction of these beetle species: those that feed on plant tissue. And even this group is overwhelming. There are hundreds upon hundreds of them, a good portion entirely unknown."
Vasily is a Research Scientist in Entomology at CFIA's Ottawa Plant Laboratory. Fieldwork is by far the most pivotal time of his annual cycle. He is a field scientist and he has to get into the field to get samples.
"I don't do experiments at my desk. I have to get into the forest, shake the trees and gather the insects that fall out," says Vasily. "I do most of my field study in the People's Republic of China, Eastern Russia and Japan. Forests in these countries have conditions similar to those in Canada but not quite the same - different enough to be foreign to us but alike enough for insects to come here and feel at home."
Extensive Laboratory Network Supports Surveillance and Emergency Response
The CFIA can perform over two million laboratory tests and analyses annually …
The CFIA has a comprehensive network of 14 laboratory sites containing 24 labs across the country. These labs operate various programs, from testing of food, animals and plants for residues, diseases, chemical, bacterial and allergen contaminants, to specialized activities in areas such as microbiology, pathology and various animal or plant diseases. The agency's laboratory network conducts the sophisticated testing required for monitoring and surveillance programs and responding to emergency outbreak situations.
The CFIA also provides Canadian facilities with regulatory controls for animal pathogens, standards for containment, biosafety training and certification of private laboratories. The CFIA can perform over two million laboratory tests and analyses annually, supplemented by tests coordinated through accredited private labs. Every sample received by the CFIA can result in a number of laboratory tests.
Monitoring Imports and Facilitating Exports
The CFIA and Canada Border Services Agency work together to monitor shipments of live animals and genetics, basic commodity ingredients and food products. The CFIA administers permits, certificates and declarations for import shipments into Canada and to verify that Canadian exports meet international standards for trade. The agency conducts targeted inspection and testing of imported food products to monitor the food supply and identify areas of concern. Import restrictions are put into place based on health status evaluations of countries exporting to Canada. Industry plays a vital role in the safety of products by meeting the requirements of importation. The safety of products prior to arriving at the Canadian border is facilitated through monitoring and control systems for the in-transit movement of food, agricultural inputs and agricultural products. These activities include shipment, distribution and product information, quality control results, sanitation, consumer complaints and corrective actions.
Export opportunities are critical for the growth of most Canadian agriculture and agri-food industries. In 2010, Canada was the fifth largest exporter and sixth largest importer of agri-food products, with exports valued at $35.5 billion, plus $3.9 billion in seafood exports and agri-food imports valued at $28.1 billion.
Mobilizing Resources for Investigations and Recalls
The CFIA is in the business of food safety and security, constantly working to enhance its emergency response systems and biosecurity measures. It's the agency's job to prevent and respond to public health hazards and threats to the food supply. The agency responds to outbreak situations by mobilizing resources to investigate food safety hazards and conduct food product recalls when necessary. The CFIA initiates investigations and responds to food safety complaints when consumers, industry, government inspectors and other authorities bring concerns and findings to the agency and other related federal departments.
The CFIA also establishes animal disease quarantines at farms, zoos, parks or research facilities, and pest or disease control zones for crops, horticulture and forestry products.
A food recall incident is the initial recall situation of one or more products. A recall incident may lead to additional recalls, which involves the removal of product from further use or sale on certain dates. The different types of food recalls fall into four basic categories:
- Microbial, such as bacteria, viruses or parasites
- Chemical, such as high levels of lead, mercury or pesticides
- Extraneous materials from an outside source, like glass, hair or shards of metal
- Allergen, when a food product contains ingredients such as peanuts, milk or eggs that trigger allergic reactions but are not identified on the product's label
All four types of recalls are either Class I, II or III based on the health risks posed for consumers. Class I recalls warn the public of a high risk of serious health problems or death. Class II recalls are issued for moderate risks likely leading to short-term health problems that are not life-threatening. Class III recalls, usually quality issues, are low risk and are not likely to result in any adverse health effects.
Enforcing Regulations and Verifying Compliance
- Refusing entry of shipments into Canada based on the mandatory documentation requirements of product tracking systems
- Seizure, detention or disposal of shipments and products depending on the need to control the movement of products for health, safety and quality considerations
- Suspension and cancellation of licences, registrations or permits for federally registered establishments
- Notices of violation with warnings and penalties for regulatory requirements pertaining to animal health and the protection of plant life
- Recommendation to the Department of Justice for legal prosecution, subject to the severity of the violation or escalation of enforcement actions
The CFIA utilizes monetary penalties as one of its tools to enforce federal regulations. The CFIA can issue a notice of violation, which is essentially a type of ticket. The notice of violation includes a warning or a penalty. Individuals who are not engaged in business activities can be fined $500 to $1,300. A violation committed in the course of business is subject to a fine between $1,300 and $15,000. These fines are in the form of administrative monetary penalties (AMPs).
AMPs Categories
Animal Identification - The CFIA verifies compliance with animal identification and movement reporting requirements at various locations, including farms, auctions, abattoirs, rendering plants and fairs. The CFIA also verifies compliance by deadstock operators.
Animal Transportation - The CFIA verifies compliance with humane transportation requirements at various locations including auction markets, slaughter facilities and border crossings into Canada, as well as conducting roadside inspections.
Health of Animals - The CFIA verifies compliance with various requirements through activities such as inspecting abattoirs, food processing plants, farms and border crossings into Canada.
Animal Feed - The CFIA inspects facilities and livestock feed labels at various locations including farms, commercial feed mills, feed retail outlets and animal by-product rendering plants.
Plant Protection - The CFIA verifies compliance with the movement of plant life products and materials at various locations including border crossings into Canada. The CFIA also verifies that plant pests are not transported from a restricted area.
Eliza Yue: Reaching Out to All Canadians
Eliza Yue knows what it's like to be mission-driven. As the Regional Recall Coordinator for British Columbia, she is on the cutting edge of CFIA's mandate - keeping potentially contaminated food off the shelves of Canadian stores.
Eliza Yue
Reaching out to all Canadians
"It's tremendously satisfying to know that the work we do has a direct benefit for the people we are trying to protect,"says Eliza.
There really is no typical day for Eliza, who jumps from meeting to phone call to BlackBerry, chasing down different food commodities.
And when she is not directing a recall investigation, she can often be found doing what comes naturally - speaking her native Cantonese. Eliza, born in Hong Kong, is also part of the agency's efforts to get food safety messages out to different audiences.
"If doing a radio or television interview in Cantonese can help us reach a broader audience, then I'm privileged to be able to make that contribution as well."
Contacts
liaison is the voice of the Canadian Food Inspection Agency, a federal science-based organization responsible for safeguarding the food supply, monitoring animal health and protecting plants and crops from pests and other environmental hazards.
Published by Public Affairs Branch,
Canadian Food Inspection Agency
George W. Shaw, Vice-President
Managing Director
Bruce D'Andrea
Managing Editor
Thomas Costea
Production Manager
Joanne McCarthy
Contributing Editors
Bryan Blom
Dr. Robert Charlebois
Roderick Costain
Mariann Forro
Roy Fox
Matthew Gaetz
Tom Graham
Shelley Ippolito
Karen Jessett
Tim Kohut
Nigel Laut
Luc Mougeot
Scott Rattray
Jennifer Stapledon
Jamal Tyman
liaison welcomes letters to the editor, suggestions and contributions.
Please include name, e-mail address and telephone number.
liaison
Canadian Food Inspection Agency
1400 Merivale Road, T1-2-125
Ottawa, Ontario, K1A 0Y9
Telephone: 613-773-6506
Facsimile: 613-773-5618
E-mail: LiaisonMagazine@inspection.gc.ca
© 2010 Her Majesty the Queen in Right of Canada
(Canadian Food Inspection Agency), all rights reserved. Use without permission is prohibited.
CFIA P0756-11 ISSN: 1920-034X
