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Prosecution Bulletins
| April 2, 2003 |
New Westminster, B.C.
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Richmond company fined $3,000 for violating Meat
Inspection Act
A Richmond company has entered a guilty plea in Richmond Provincial Court to
one count of violating the Meat Inspection Act. Versacold Group, doing
business as Versacold Group - Corpak Center, Richmond, B.C., was fined $3,000 on March 27, 2003 for
unlawfully removing a quantity of meat that had been detained, without the
authority of an inspector.
In August, 2002, a Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) inspector examined 660
cartons of frozen bone-in-lamb that was imported from New Zealand. A quantity
of the product was found to be thawed, raising food safety concerns.
Consequently, the CFIA detained and refused entry of
the meat products into Canada, and advised the company accordingly. In
November, 2002, just prior to returning the detained lamb to New Zealand, the
CFIA learned the
company had removed a quantity of the product from detention and distributed it
to a customer.
Section 14 (2) of the Meat Inspection Act states that except with
the authority of an inspector, no person shall remove, alter or interfere in
any way with anything seized or detained under this Act by an inspector.
CFIA’s meat
inspection programs contribute to human safety and health by permitting only
wholesome, disease and contamination-free meat and meat products to enter the
Canadian food system. The CFIA is committed to continue
Canada’s excellent domestic and international reputation for a safe and
high-quality food supply.
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For more information, please contact:
Ken Lowe
Enforcement and Investigation Services
Canadian Food Inspection Agency
New Westminster, B.C.
Phone: (604) 666-3436 |
Sam Rainboth
Communications Officer
Canadian Food Inspection Agency
New Westminster, B.C.
Phone: (604) 666-1357 |
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