An essential part
of any day, food is all around us.
Accessible from a variety of sources, everywhere from grocery stores to
department stores to speciality retailers, if a threat arises, the risk posed
to consumers can be grave. Seemingly simple mistakes such as incorrectly
labelled allergens can have an astoundingly large impact on the health and
safety of consumers. In absence of
regulation, the health and safety of not only Canadians but those who receive
imported and exported goods would be at risk. So, just how exactly are these
products regulated?
What legislation governs food regulations?
Far from just
cosmetics and drugs, Health Canada has responsibility to ensure the safety of
food for Canadians under the Canadian Food and Drugs Act (FDA). Relative to the
regulations of food the government of Canada describes
the act as “the primary legislation governing the safety and nutritional
quality of food sold in Canada”. The Act outlines the required standards for
food as well as other more specific situations including food additives and foods
for special dietary use.
How is Food Regulated?
Foods are
regulated differently based on their classification. For example, different
labelling and advertising requirements exist for cereal versus alcohol. Various
products also have different rules and regulations surrounding factors such as
their claims (ie. Nutrition or function claims). To help those in industry
better understand the regulations, requirements and rules for more
special/innovative products, Agriculture and Agri-food Canada (AAFC) provides
both support and information to these companies.
How are Recalls Executed?
There are several
events that could play a role in the recall of food. Some of the triggers
that could promote recall of a food product are circumstances such as consumer
complaints about a product or an established link between a public illness and
a certain food. These recalls are moderated by the Canadian Food Inspection
Agency (CFIA), who also has the important role of carrying out investigations
to ensure that producers are preparing foods in an environment that avoids
contamination or other serious circumstances.
A Recent Case of Recall: Romaine Lettuce
The urgency and
effectiveness of the regulatory bodies in both the US and Canada proved to be
very efficient recently with the ongoing recall of romaine
lettuce originating from regions in California. Several individuals
of varying ages were found to experience sickness as a result of consuming the E.coli
contaminated lettuce. With proper investigation, the spread of infection was
contained to a smaller number of cases (ie.59 reported cases
in the US and 22
in Canada). With a food as popular as romaine lettuce, found at
almost any restaurant or household, the threat of infection could have been more
widespread without recall. Containing
the outbreak and proper identification of the source allows for the health of
Canadians to be maintained. Regulatory government agencies in both the United
States and Canada continue to keep a close eye on the situation monitoring any
changes or concerns.
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