August 21, 2008, Guelph, Ontario - On July 11, 2008, a conviction was registered against AMCO Produce Inc. in the Ontario Court of Justice in Windsor, resulting in a fine of $7,000. The fine was the result of a guilty y plea by the corporation to one count of violating the Canada Agricultural Products Act.
In November 2004, Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) inspectors visited the premises of AMCO Produce Inc. in L eamington, Ontario to conduct a routine inspection. The CFIA inspectors found employees of AMCO Produce Inc., taking the cucumbers out of cartons marked "Pr oduct of USA" and re-packing them into cartons marked "Product of Canada." The company's action was contrary to section 6.(1) of the Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Regulations , made pursuant to the Canada Agricultural Products Act. This is considered an offence under section 33.(1) of the Canada Agricultural Products Act.
Consumers have a right to know the origin of the produce they are purchasing. Se ction 6.(1) of the Regulations prohibits the packaging of produce in a container with a label that misrepresents the quality, quantity, composition, nature, safety, value, origin or variety of the contents.
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For more information, the media may contact
Marilyn Taylor (English)
Communications Officer, Ontario Area
CFIA
519-837-5852
JoAnne Ford (French)
Are a Communications Manager, Ontario Area
CFIA
519-826-3027
