October 2024 | Canadian Food Inspection Agency | by Melanie Nobre and Kelly MacDonald
Canada’s agriculture and agri-food system employs about 2.3 million people and generates over $150 billion of Canada's gross domestic product (GDP). It is a complex system that is safeguarded by Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) employees and is known as one of the best food safety systems in the world.
A Canadian Food Inspection Agency inspector standing in a laboratory with the focus placed on the words Canada Inspection printed on the back of the inspector's jacket.
Since it is impossible to inspect every food, animal and plant product in Canada, you might wonder how we do it. Here are 6 key things the CFIA does so you can have confidence in Canada’s federal food inspection system.
1. Canada has laws that must be followed by the food industry
Our food laws are the result of years of applying the best science, evidence, and experience. Our regulations and guidelines also reflect the latest international standards from the Codex Alimentarius and collaboration with industry, consumers, and other stakeholders.
They apply to all foods sold in Canada, whether produced domestically or imported, and play a critical role in preventing foodborne illness and promoting a safe and reliable food supply in Canada.
2. We do onsite inspections
Each day, CFIA inspectors verify that Canada’s federal food laws are being followed through onsite inspections at food processors, importers and retail locations across Canada.
These inspections are targeted in areas most at risk for not meeting Canadian food safety standards so that they have the most impact. This is done all along the supply chain and involves many industry members and jurisdictions.
3. The CFIA supports businesses in following the law before there is an issue
Being an inspector is not just about verifying food laws are being followed. A large part of an inspector’s role takes place on site and includes:
- Helping food businesses understand their food safety obligations
- Reviewing their preventive control plan to ensure all food safety hazards are controlled
- Performing product inspections
- Conducting microbiological and chemical sampling
- Doing inspections related to food safety investigations and food recalls when necessary
When needed, inspectors can take immediate action if food safety or other requirements are not being met.
The CFIA also supports businesses through its AskCFIA service, where they can get answers to their regulatory related questions.
4. We take samples and analyze them in laboratories
Sampling is a critical tool in the CFIA’s approach to verifying that food products in the Canadian marketplace are safe and what they claim to be. This is a multi step process where we:
- Step 1: Design our sampling plans based on:
- Previous sampling results
- Ongoing and emerging risks, unusual trading patterns, tips and complaints
- Information sharing with provinces, territories, and international counterparts
- The latest science
- Step 2: Identify the best sampling approach (for example, random or targeted)
- Step 3: Analyze the samples at our laboratories
- Step 4: Take appropriate action if the results show non-compliance
- Step 5: Use results to refine future sampling for even more impact
More details about this process can be found here.
5. Food complaints are important to us
There are many ways that the CFIA can become aware of a non-compliant product, including intelligence, inspections, sampling, and complaints. The CFIA receives, assesses and responds to about 3,750 consumer and industry complaints per year.
When you submit a food complaint to us, we take action to find out more about it and whether further action is needed.
- If there is reason to believe that food is unsafe the CFIA initiates a 5-step process to investigate and determine if a food recall is necessary.
- If there is reason to believe a food label is misleading, CFIA reviews all information on food labels or in advertisements – including words, images, vignettes, and logos – as they contribute to the overall impression created by that product.
- When a labelling non-compliance is identified, the CFIA informs the food business that they must make corrections. In addition, the CFIA works with industry to explain the labelling requirements to promote compliance.
6. We share as much information as possible
We aim to be as transparent as possible about our enforcement actions. Information is available on our website when it comes to:
- Suspensions and cancellations of food business licences
- Notification of charges laid
- Prosecution bulletin when a conviction is obtained.
- Administrative monetary penalties (AMPs)
If you have a question about a specific food product, you can contact the company directly for additional information. If you have a food safety or labelling concern, you can report it to the CFIA by using our online reporting tool.
Learn more
- How we decide to recall a food product (CFIA)
- Sampling food products (CFIA)
- Inspection and enforcement (CFIA)
- Enforcement actions taken (CFIA)
- How inspections work (CFIA)
- Find out where to report a food complaint or concern (CFIA)
- Sign up for food recalls and allergy alerts (CFIA)
© Canadian Food Inspection Agency 2024