Safe Food for Canadians Act

To protect Canadian families from potentially unsafe food, the Government of Canada tabled the Safe Food for Canadians Act on June 7, 2012. The Safe Food for Canadians Act, S-11, was adopted by the Senate on October 17, 2012 and passed by the House of Commons on November 20, 2012. On November 22, 2012, it received Royal Assent.

The new Safe Food for Canadians Act consolidates the authorities of the Fish Inspection Act, the Canada Agricultural Products Act, the Meat Inspection Act, and the food provisions of the Consumer Packaging and Labelling Act.

The Act:

  • makes food as safe as possible for Canadian families; 
  • protects consumers by targeting unsafe practices; 
  • implements tougher penalties for activities that put health and safety at risk; 
  • provides better control over imports; 
  • institutes a more consistent inspection regime across all food commodities; and 
  • strengthens food traceability.

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