Consultation: Draft guidance to determine the acceptability of microbiological methods
Current status: Open
Opened on November 9, 2026 and will close to new input on January 23, 2027
Health Canada (HC), in collaboration with the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA), is consulting on proposed new requirements to determine the acceptability of microbiological methods in accordance with Sections A.01.010 and A.01.012 of the Food and Drug Regulations. This updated approach simplifies the process by aligning Canada with internationally recognized practices for method validation, while continuing to ensure that decisions are science-based and uphold a strong food safety system in Canada.
The new requirements and updated approach are detailed in the Draft guidance to determine the acceptability of microbiological methods. The objective of the consultation is to distribute information and receive feedback, in the form of comments or questions, on the updated approach to determine acceptable methods and the contents of the Draft guidance.
Related information
Methods used to assess microbial food safety compliance are submitted by method developers for review and approval by the Microbiological Methods Committee (MMC). The MMC is coordinated by Health Canada’s Bureau of Microbial and Toxicological Food Safety, in collaboration with the CFIA. The MMC is currently responsible for:
- Overseeing the review and assessment of method validation data
- Publishing methods that are suitable for regulatory testing in the Compendium of Analytical Methods (the Compendium)
- Defining and maintaining method validation guidelines
- Keeping the Compendium up-to-date (e.g., periodic review of methods)
- Responding to inquiries from laboratories and method developers
The Government of Canada has heard concerns that the MMC’s current system may be lengthy, complex, and difficult to navigate, leading to unpredictability and user frustration.
Consequently, Health Canada, in collaboration with the CFIA, explored options to modernize the management of microbiological methods in Canada.
The modernization was organized into phases. Phase I is an interim measure that was launched on September 19, 2024, where methods are prioritized for review and publication if essential to:
- support regulatory requirements (e.g., the requirements of Sections 4 and 7 of the Food and Drugs Act and/or other relevant federal regulations); and
- resolve current gaps in the Compendium or specific food safety concerns, to protect the safety of those foods in Canada.
The MMC implemented Phase I to redirect resources to the second phase of this initiative. Phase II covers the modernization and explores new approaches for determining acceptable microbiological methods in Canada. The MMC is now ready to consult on a modernized approach. This consultation focuses on the proposed Draft guidance to determine the acceptability of microbiological methods which describes the modernized approach.
Join in: How to participate
Review the document Draft guidance to determine the acceptability of microbiological methods.
As well, you can also request the link to the Webinar containing additional background information on the proposed guidance.
Send us an email
Please submit your comments on the Draft guidance by email to mmc-cmm@hc-sc.gc.ca using “MMC consultation 2026-001” as the subject line of your email.
Who is the focus of this consultation
- End-users of the Compendium of Analytical Methods
- Food industry and regulated parties
- Food safety partners
- Government research laboratories
- Method developers, consultants and certification or accreditation bodies
Key questions for discussion
- Were there any sections of the guidance that were unclear or difficult to understand? Please explain and identify the relevant sections.
- Are there any areas where additional clarification or guidance would be helpful?
- Do you foresee any impacts, challenges, or implementation considerations associated with the proposed updated approach? If so, please provide details.
- Are there any additional comments or suggestions that would help improve the guidance document?
Watch the pre-recorded information session
A pre-recorded webinar is available with additional background information on the proposed Guidance to determine the acceptability of microbiological methods. While viewing the webinar is optional, it offers some helpful background material to support your participation in the consultation.
To view the webinar, please send an email to mmc-cmm@hc-sc.gc.ca using “MMC consultation 2026-001 webinar” as the subject line of your email.
Final report
We will publish a report outlining what we heard from the consultation once the consultation is complete.
Contact us
Microbiological Methods Committee
Bureau of Microbial and Toxicological Food Safety
Food and Nutrition Directorate
Health Canada
251 Sir Frederick Banting Driveway
Ottawa ON K1A 0K9
Email: mmc-cmm@hc-sc.gc.ca