News release
NEW FOOD SAFETY INITIATIVE LAUNCHED IN MANITOBA
WINNIPEG, Manitoba, April 27, 2006 - The Government of Canada is providing $2.5 million to the Manitoba government over the next two years to further the implementation of food safety systems in its food processing sector.
The funding, under the Food Safety Initiative (FSI), was announced today by federal Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food and Minister for the Canadian Wheat Board Chuck Strahl and Manitoba Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Initiatives Rosann Wowchuk.
"Canada is pleased to be a part of this joint initiative with Manitoba that will strengthen Canada's food safety system, boost the food processing sector and protect the health of our citizens," said Minister Strahl. "Currently, Manitoba's food processing sector is responsible for more than $3 billion worth of manufactured goods or approximately 25 percent of all manufactured goods in the province. This funding will ensure Manitoba remains to be a world leader in the production of safe, high-quality food."
Top Manitoba exports of processed, semi-processed and value-added agri-food products include wheat, flour, pork, canola, barley, mustard seed, oilseed, pulse crops, processed meat, frozen potato items, honey products and livestock.
"Food processing is one of the fastest growing segments of Manitoba's value-added agri-food industry," said Minister Wowchuck. "This funding will provide processors and entrepreneurs with the opportunity to increase food safety measures and take advantage of new food-related business ventures in today's rapidly expanding markets."
The FSI, one component of AAFC's Canadian Food Safety and Quality Program, is designed to help industry maintain its high standards in food safety and quality and currently centres on implementation and outreach.
Under the implementation element of the FSI, non-federally registered food processing plants can access financial assistance to implement food safety systems, such as HACCP, in their operations. Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP) is an internationally recognized, science-based approach that works to ensure food safety by anticipating and preventing problems during the production of food products. Federal funding will also be available to support processors to implement some alternative food safety standards, such as Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs) and ISO 22000 systems. Processors will be eligible to receive funding equivalent to 90 percent of eligible costs for the development and implementation of HACCP-based systems and/or ISO 22000 to a maximum of $20,000, or GMPs to a maximum of $15,000.
The outreach element is aimed at raising awareness of food safety issues in the food processing industry through various learning activities and pilot projects.
The FSI is funded under the Agriculture Policy Framework, a federal-provincial-territorial initiative that aims to position Canada as the world leader in food safety, innovation and environmentally responsible agricultural production.
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For more information, media may contact:
Media Relations
Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
(613) 759-7972
1-866-345-7972
Jeff Howard
Press Secretary
Minister Strahl's Office
(613) 759-1059
Michelle Wallace
Manitoba Department of Agriculture, Food and Rural Initiatives
(204) 945-1327
BACKGROUNDER
The Canadian Food Safety and Quality Program
The Canadian Food Safety and Quality Program will maintain and enhance Canada's reputation as a producer of safe and high-quality food products. Fostering confidence in the safety and quality of Canadian food is recognized as critical to ensure the strength of the agriculture and agri-food sector over the long term.
The Canadian Food Safety and Quality Program has three components including a Systems Development component, an On-Farm Implementation component, and the Food Safety Initiative announced today.
The Food Safety Initiative
The Food Safety Initiative involves implementation and outreach activities aimed, in part, at increasing the number of non-federally registered food processing plants having or moving towards Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP) food safety systems in their operations.
Through the implementation element of the Food Safety Initiative, funding will be made available for provinces to support development and implementation of Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs), HACCP-based food safety systems, and/or ISO 22000 in non-federally registered food processing plants. Processors will be eligible to receive funding equivalent to 90 percent of eligible costs for the development and implementation of:
- HACCP-based systems and/or ISO 22000 to a maximum of $20,000;
- GMPs to a maximum of $15,000.
The outreach component includes activities aimed at raising awareness, knowledge development and implementation of food safety process control systems through pilot activities and the development of generic models and related administration within the food processing sector. These activities may include but are not limited to training and the preparation and dissemination of information materials.
HACCP
HACCP is an internationally recognized, science-based system that works to ensure food safety by anticipating and preventing problems during the production of food products.
Under HACCP, processors implement method controls throughout production. These control points occur from on farm production and proper storage on through adequate cooking procedures. HACCP systems also include prerequisite programs such as sanitation, recall, pest control, etc.
There are many benefits to implementing a HACCP system, including:
- enhanced safety of food processed under effective HACCP systems;
- maintained or increased market access;
- reduced costs of processing/product waste;
- improved product quality and consistency;
- reduced liability.
Protecting the safety of Canada's food supply is the result of a collective effort by producers, processors, distributors, inspectors, governments and consumers. The Canadian Food Inspection Agency inspects food produced at federally registered establishments while provincial and territorial governments are responsible for inspecting food processing establishments that distribute products provincially and territorially. All food processing establishments are required to meet food safety and quality standards.
By continuing to take a leadership role, and through its active participation in Canada's food safety system, the Government of Canada will continue to strengthen this system and protect the health of Canadians.
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