Safety of Canada's Food
The Issue
To ensure the safety of food produced in Canada from animals, Health
Canada's Veterinary Drugs Directorate (VDD) is responsible for a comprehensive
scientific review of veterinary drugs before they are approved for sale
in this country.
Veterinary drugs are used, not only to combat disease in food-producing
animals, but also to promote growth and maintain health.
One of VDD's many functions is to determine the level of drugs below
which there will not be any adverse health effects to humans. Internationally
recognized procedures are used to assess the safety of these drugs.
Every substance, whether a vitamin or a drug, whether natural or synthetic,
is toxic at certain levels - the dose can make it poison. This is why
human or veterinary drugs are beneficial at recommended dosages and can
be harmful if these levels are exceeded.
How does VDD make informed decisions about the safety of food from animals
treated with veterinary drugs?
Scientific debate is welcomed and encouraged. Science is complex - the
generation of knowledge has profound value. In its application, it has
the potential to inform and refine policies, regulations and practices.
As in any other discipline, scientists come from a variety of training,
backgrounds and expertise. It is not surprising then, that their ideas
and opinions can be sometimes varied.
Decisions are made that protect the public by applying the best interpretation
of available scientific evidence. Consultation, scientific review and
study, peer review, and inspection and compliance procedures are all part
of this decision-making process.
Working in partnership to ensure the health and safety of Canadians
VDD has a key role to play in ensuring the safety of food from animals
treated with veterinary drugs. Many other federal departments and agencies,
provincial and territorial governments, and stakeholders are also involved
to ensure the safety of food produced from animals and sold in Canada.
VDD works in partnership with these and other interested parties. Our
industry stakeholders, producers and farmers also want to ensure the highest
quality of our food.
It is important to note that Canadians are among the healthiest people
in the world. We live - on average - longer than in many other industrialized
nations. This fact, in itself, speaks for the safety of our food system.
How can I keep up-to-date on this issue?
As additional information becomes available, VDD will continue to post
updates on our Web site.
How can I get involved?
VDD is working to make public participation part of policy development
related to veterinary drugs. If you would like to comment or participate,
please use the contact us icon on our Web
site homepage.
Health Canada contact information:
Veterinary Drugs Directorate
Health Products and Food Branch
Health Canada
Holland Cross Complex
Ground Floor
14 - 11 Holland Avenue
Ottawa, Ontario
K1A 0K9
Address Locator - 3000A
General Information Number :
Tel : (613) 954-5687
Fax : (613) 957-3861
Web site: www.hc-sc.gc.ca
E-mail: vetdrugs-medsvet@hc-sc.gc.ca
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