Progress on Food Safety

In the summer of 2008, an outbreak of foodborne illness caused by the presence of Listeria monocytogenes in ready-to-eat meat resulted in the deaths of 23 Canadians. The Government of Canada immediately took a number of preventive actions to reduce the risk posed by the possibility of similar outbreaks in the future.

Because of the serious nature of the listeriosis outbreak, the Government of Canada also asked Ms. Sheila Weatherill to lead an independent investigation into its circumstances and to make recommendations to strengthen the food safety system.

In September 2009, the Government committed to act on all of the recommendations of the Weatherill Report. In the past year, the Government has made considerable progress in response to the Weatherill Report recommendations.

• October 2010 - Progress on Food Safety: This one year update describes actions taken from the point immediately following the listeriosis outbreak to October 2010
  • Comprehensive Review of the Compliance Verification System (CVS)
• March 2010 - Progress on Food Safety