The Canadian Food Safety System Food Recall
Canada has a sound and internationally respected food safety system. The
Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA)s food recall process is one part of that
system.
At the federal level, Health Canada establishes policies and standards
related to the safety and nutritional quality of food sold in Canada. The CFIA
enforces those policies and standards.
Food manufacturers use many controls to protect the safety of the products
they produce. On occasion, for many different reasons, a product may be
manufactured and sold which may pose a health risk. When an unsafe food product
has left the control of the manufacturer or importer it must be removed from the
market. This process of removing the product is called a "recall". The food
industry carries out most recalls voluntarily. The recalling firm is responsible
for the implementation of the recall and verification of its effectiveness.
However, if a company is not available or willing to conduct the recall
voluntarily the Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food can, under the Canadian
Food Inspection Agency Act, order a company to recall a product where the
Minister believes that it poses a risk to public, animal or plant health.
The Recall Process
Triggers
There are various triggers that initiate a food safety investigation which
could lead to a food recall. These triggers can include: reports by public
health officials, consumer complaints, company-initiated concerns, international
reports as well as regular CFIA inspections and testing/sampling programs. For
example, a company may conduct its own sampling and find a problem in its
process and initiate a recall.
In rare circumstances, unsafe food is found because people become ill. In
that case, a disease outbreak situation must first undergo an epidemiological
investigation by provincial/territorial public health officials to determine if
the cause is a food source. The epidemiological analysis includes the
interviewing and laboratory testing of people who have become sick. If a food
source is identified and available for testing, the CFIA will sample and test
it.
Investigation
The goal of a food safety investigation is to determine whether a food safety
hazard or violation exists and to determine the nature and extent of the
problem. An exhaustive traceback procedure from the retail level through
distribution to production or processing facilities is conducted to pinpoint a
suspected source of the problem. Investigations are conducted in a thorough,
consistent and timely manner. Information obtained throughout provides the basis
for the assessment of risk and the development of appropriate risk management
strategies to control affected products.
Decision Making
Using a streamlined process, the CFIA and Health Canada work as quickly as
possible to reach a decision about the risk posed by a product. The level of
risk contributes to determining the class of food recall. There are three
classes of food recalls:
Class I represents a situation in which there is a reasonable
probability that the consumption/exposure to a food will lead to adverse
health consequences which are serious or life-threatening, or that the
probability of a foodborne outbreak situation is considered high.
Class II represents a situation in which there is a reasonable
probability that the consumption/exposure to a food will lead to temporary
or non-life threatening health consequences or that the probability of
serious adverse consequences is considered remote.
Class III represents a situation in where there is a reasonable
probability that the consumption/exposure to a food is not likely to result
in any adverse health consequences.
Response
If it is determined that a situation warrants a Class I recall, a news
release will be issued notifying the general public and media . The news release
is also posted to the CFIA Web site and sent out to its subscriber e-mail list.
It is the responsibility of industry to remove the product from sale or
distribution.
Follow-up
CFIA officials will conduct effectiveness checks to verify that the recalling
firm has recalled the product effectively. On some occasions officials from
provincial and territorial governments work with the CFIA to conduct
effectiveness checks. If the recalling firm is unwilling to remove the product
for sale and appropriately dispose of it, the CFIA may seize and detain the
product. Further administrative actions including prosecution could also take
place.
Canada enjoys a world reputation for a comprehensive and responsive food
safety system, including its food recall system. The effectiveness of Canadas
food recall system depends on everyone doing their part industry producing
safe product and removing product from sale or distribution when necessary;
public health partners identifying patterns of illnesses and taking appropriate
actions; and the CFIA carrying out investigations and recalls with Health
Canada, provincial, territorial and industry partners, as needed.
For more information:
Canadian Food Inspection Agency: 1-800-442-2342
CFIA Media Relations: 613-228-6682
CFIA website: www.inspection.gc.ca
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