|
Q. |
What does the CFIA do? |
A. |
CFIA delivers 14 inspection programs related to foods, plants and
animals across Canada. Our role is to enforce the food safety and nutritional quality
standards established by Health Canada and, for animal health and plant protection, to set
standards and carry out enforcement and inspection.
The scope of our mandate is vast and complex. Activities range from the
inspection of federally-registered meat processing facilities to border inspections for
foreign pests and diseases, to the enforcement of practices related to fraudulent
labelling. We also verify the humane transportation of animals, conduct food
investigations and recalls, perform laboratory testing and environmental assessments of
seeds, plants, feeds and fertilizers. We regulate the import, export and domestic movement
of horticulture, forestry and plant products where they are regulated. We also work with
exotic pest introductions and the control or eradication of quarantine pests. In a
nutshell, we're Canada's federal food safety, animal health and plant protection
enforcement agency.
For more information on the CFIA, see our Corporate brochure, Science and regulation... working together for
Canadians. |
Q. |
Where can I find out about employment opportunities with the CFIA? |
A. |
For information on employment opportunities
with the CFIA, please go to http://www.inspection.gc.ca/english/hrrh/jobemple.shtml. |
|
Q. |
What is Access to Information and Privacy (ATIP)? |
A. |
The Access to
Information Act gives Canadian citizens as well as people and corporations
present in Canada the right to have access to information in federal government records.
The Act ensures that people can ask for information and, if it is not exempt or excluded,
the federal government must let them see it or give them a copy. Exemptions
- Exemptions protect certain types of information that could cause harm if released. For
example, some information on national security, law enforcement or trade secrets falls
into this category.
Exclusions - The Act does not apply to information that is already
available publicly, such as web sites, publications or material in libraries and museums.
The Privacy Act
gives Canadian citizens and people present in Canada the right to have access to
information that is held about them by the federal government. The Act also protects
against unauthorized disclosure of personal information. In addition, it strictly controls
how the government will collect, use, store, disclose and dispose of any personal
information.
In general, the Access to Information Act allows for 30 calendar days (21 or
22 working days) between receipt of an ATIP request and the release of documents. An
extension may be required for consultation with third parties and other departments. |
Q. |
How do I make an ATIP request? |
A. |
In many cases, you will be able to find the information you are looking for by searching the CFIA website
or by contacting the CFIA using our on-line
feedback form. Some examples of information requests that may require the
submission of an ATIP request include:
- a consumer would like a copy of the CFIA investigation following a complaint about a
food product
- a student would like some research material on rabies testing in Canada
- a journalist would like information about federally-registered meat establishments
To make a formal Access to Information request or a Privacy Request, you can use the
following forms:
Please note: All requests made under the Access to Information Act must be
accompanied by a cheque or money order in the amount of $5.00 payable to Receiver General
for Canada.
Once your form has been completed, please mail with the applicable fees to the
following address:
Access to Information and Privacy Services
Corporate Administration Division
CFIA, Corporate Services Branch
Room 211 East - 59 Camelot Drive
Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0Y9
Should you have any questions about Access to Information and Privacy, please contact
the ATIP Coordinator. |
|
Q. |
Who do I call if I want to import a pet? |
A. |
For information on pet imports,
go to: http://www.inspection.gc.ca/english/anima/heasan/import/petse.shtml You can also
contact one of three regional CFIA Import Service Centres toll-free at:
Eastern Import Service Centre |
(877) 493-0468 |
Central Import Service Centre |
(800) 835-4486 |
Western Import Service Centre |
(888) 732-6222 |
Contact your nearest CFIA district office. |
|
Q. |
What is the CFIAs role in the regulation of genetically modified foods? |
A. |
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) shares responsibility for the regulation of products derived from
biotechnology including plants, animal feeds and animal feed ingredients, fertilizers
and veterinary biologics. For genetically modified crop plants, the CFIA assesses the
potential risk of adverse environmental effects; authorizes and oversees import permits,
confined trials, unconfined release and variety registration. To view the complete list of
regulated plants with novel traits see:
http://active.inspection.gc.ca/eng/plaveg/bio/pntvcne.asp Health Canada is responsible
for assessing the human health safety of products derived through biotechnology including
foods, drugs, cosmetics, medical devices and pest control products. In the case of novel
foods, each safety assessment considers the process used to develop the novel food, its
characteristics compared to those of its traditional counterpart, its nutritional quality,
the potential presence of any toxicants or anti-nutrients, and the potential allergenicity
of any proteins introduced into the food. |
|
Q. |
Where can I find detailed information about CFIA activities to determine
pesticide residues in foods ? |
A. |
A description of CFIA's monitoring activities can be found at: http://www.inspection.gc.ca/english/fssa/microchem/ncrmpe.shtml.
The surveillance program highlights can be viewed at: http://www.inspection.gc.ca/english/fssa/microchem/programe.shtml. |
Q. |
Where can I find Canadian Maximum Residue Limits (MRL) information for
pesticides and veterinary drugs ? |
A. |
Canadian Maximum Residue Limits data can be obtained from Division 15 of the Food and
Drug Regulations, as follows: http://laws.justice.gc.ca./en/F-27/C.R.C.-c.870/index.html.
- heavy metals: Section B.15.001 - Table 1
- agricultural chemicals: Section B.15.002 - Table 2
- veterinary drugs: Section B.15.003 - Table 3
|
Q. |
Where can I find reports about pesticides residues found in food commodities
consumed in Canada? |
A. |
CFIAs National Chemical Residue Monitoring Program annual residue reports can be
viewed at: http://www.inspection.gc.ca/english/fssa/microchem/resid/reside.shtml. |
|
Q. |
How do I report a potential food safety incident? |
A. |
If you believe a product presents a health and safety risk, you can report a potential
food safety incident to the CFIA:
If you suspect that your health has been compromised because of food, contact your
family physician or local health authority who will follow-up with the appropriate
treatment. You can report any concerns about restaurant food to your local inspection authority. If they
determine that food appears to be the likely cause of illness, they will contact the CFIA
to initiate an investigation. |
Q. |
What food products can I bring into Canada? |
A. |
Delivery of the Travellers' Program for the personal importation of food, plant and
animal products has become the responsibility of the Canada Border Services Agency. For
more information on the program, visit the Canada
Border Services Agency's website or the Be
Aware and Declare website. |
Q. |
What do I have to do to import a food product? |
A. |
You can obtain information about import requirements by checking out the CFIAs Guide to Importing Foods
Commercially located on our web site. The CFIAs three Import Service
Centres located in eastern, central and western Canada handle telephone inquiries
regarding import requirements for all commodities regulated by the Canadian Food
Inspection Agency. You can reach them toll-free as follows:
Eastern Import Service Centre |
(877) 493-0468 |
Central Import Service Centre |
(800) 835-4486 |
Western Import Service Centre |
(888) 732-6222 |
For more information on importing food, you can use the CFIAs Automated
Import Reference System (AIRS) http://airs-sari.inspection.gc.ca/ AIRS is a tool which
guides the user through a series of questions about the Harmonized System (HS) Codes,
origin, destination, end use and miscellaneous qualifiers of the product they wish to
import. |
Q. |
Can I prepare and sell food from my home? |
A. |
All food sold in Canada must comply with the requirements of the Food and Drugs Act
and the Consumer Packaging and Labelling Act and their related regulations. You can review
labelling related requirements in the Canadian
Food Inspection Agencys Guide to Food Labelling and Advertising. The Guide can
be viewed at: http://www.inspection.gc.ca/english/bureau/labeti/guide/guidee.shtml Before
beginning a home-based food business, you should verify municipal and provincial licensing
requirements. Health related requirements may also be regulated by your local health
authority or board of health. |
Q. |
What is the CFIAs role in labelling? |
A. |
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency is responsible for the administration of food
labelling policies related to misrepresentation and fraud in respect to food labelling,
packaging and advertising (Food and Drugs Act), and the general agri-food and fish
labelling provisions respecting grade, quality and composition, (Canada Agricultural
Products Act, Meat Inspection Act and Fish Inspection Act). In addition, responsibility
for the administration of the food related provisions of the Consumer Packaging and
Labelling Act, including basic food label information, net quantity, metrication and
bilingual labelling was transferred to the CFIA from Industry Canada in 1999. The
Canadian Food Inspection Agency is also responsible for the enforcement of all of the
above requirements at all trade levels.
Health Canada is responsible for the administration of health and safety standards and
the development of food labelling policies related to health and nutrition under the Food
and Drugs Act.
For more information on labelling, check out the CFIAs Guide to Food Labelling and
Advertising on the CFIA web site at
http://www.inspection.gc.ca/english/fssa/labeti/guide/toce.shtml |
Q. |
Does the CFIA regulate the use of vitamins and minerals in foods? |
A. |
The Food Directorate of Health Canada regulates the use of vitamins and minerals in
foods. For more information, visit the Health
Canada website. The CFIA enforces requirements regarding the use of vitamins and
minerals in foods. |
|
Q. |
How do I import or export wood and forestry products? |
A. |
The CFIA Forestry Section has developed policy directives (D-memos) that outline the
requirements for the movement of regulated commodities (import, export, and domestic
movement). You will find the more common directives that cover the majority of regulated
commodities of the CFIA Forestry Sector on
our website at: http://www.inspection.gc.ca/english/plaveg/for/fore.shtml There
are specific requirements for wood packaging
materials coming into Canada and going to other countries.
You can review import requirements for specific forestry products using the CFIA's Automated
Import Reference System (AIRS) at: http://airs-sari.inspection.gc.ca/ By
following the appropriate prompts, you will be able to determine current requirements
based on the type of product and the size of shipment you intend to import.
Should you have additional questions after reviewing this web page, you can contact the
Forestry Section directly using the
information found at: http://www.inspection.gc.ca/english/plaveg/for/offbure.shtml |
|
Q. |
How do I report a plant pest? |
A. |
Plant pests can usually be divided into two categories - nuisance and exotic. The CFIA
is most concerned with the reporting of exotic (foreign) pests. Prior to contacting the CFIA,
you may want to check with your local plant nursery, municipal horticulturist or the
provincial agricultural specialist located in your area to determine if the pest is either
nuisance or exotic. Exotic pests are usually introduced to an area through imported
products or crating. Try to contain your pest specimen to submit for identification.
Please note that some insects can chew through plastic bags. If you or your local
horticulturist suspects that the pest may be exotic, contact your nearest CFIA district
office (listed in most phone books in the Government of Canada blue pages) and ask for a
plant health specialist. A list of CFIA offices
can also be found on the CFIA website at
http://www.inspection.gc.ca/english/directory/offbure.shtml |
Q. |
How do I import plants or plant products? |
A. |
The CFIAs Plant Import Unit issues Permits to Import in accordance with national
policy guidelines under provision of the Plant Protection Act and Regulations. The Unit is
also responsible for plant protection import control and enforcement issues and provides
interpretation and advice respecting the Plant Protection Act and Regulations. You will
find the more common plant import information and
policy directives on our website at:
http://www.inspection.gc.ca/english/plaveg/impe.shtml
You can review import requirements for specific plant products using the CFIA's Automated
Import Reference System (AIRS) at: http://airs-sari.inspection.gc.ca/ . By
following the appropriate prompts, you will be able to determine current requirements
based on the type of product and the size of shipment you intend to import.
Should you have additional questions after reviewing this web page, you can contact the
Plant Import Unit directly using the
information found at:
http://www.inspection.gc.ca/english/plaveg/internat/offbure.shtml |