News Release: Canadian Food Inspection Agency Joins Health Portfolio
The Government is committed to ensuring that Canadian families have confidence in the food they buy and eat. The three bodies of the Canadian food safety regime - The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA), Health Canada, and the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) - will now all fall under the responsibility of the Minister of Health.
Why is this being done?
As a government, we are always looking for ways to improve how we regulate, share information, and communicate with Canadians when it comes to food safety.
This reporting change will bring all federal food safety authorities under one Minister, the Minister of Health.
When will this take effect?
This change was announced October 9th and will serve to create a stronger system with better collaboration and communication.
A transition team has been created with staff from Health Canada, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, the CFIA and PHAC in order to ensure that the transition happens as seamlessly as possible.
How does this affect food safety?
Health and food safety is a priority. This change will further strengthen food safety in Canada by ensuring stronger coordination with federal authorities and communication with Canadians. This change also further underscores the CFIA's commitment to food safety as a top priority.
We will continue to provide a world-class food safety system now and into the future.
What are the new roles with regards to food safety?
Food safety is an area of shared responsibility. All levels of government, as well as industry, have important roles to play in addressing the safety of food in Canada. At the federal level, food safety falls under three federal departments/agencies: the Canadian Food Inspection Agency, Health Canada, and the Public Health Agency of Canada.
The roles of the CFIA, Health Canada, and PHAC will not change. Having all three federal authorities report to the same Minister will ensure stronger coordination with federal authorities and communication with Canadians.
- The Canadian Food Inspection Agency verifies that industry is meeting federal food safety and regulatory requirements.
- Health Canada develops food safety standards and policies and participates in public awareness campaigns about safe food practices.
- The Public Health Agency of Canada conducts food-related illness outbreak surveillance and epidemiology and provides advice to Canadians on how to protect themselves during an outbreak.
Who is involved when there is a food-related illness outbreak?
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency, Health Canada and the Public Health Agency of Canada work with local public health officials and provincial ministries of health to confirm the source of food-related illnesses when an outbreak is suspected.
When Canadians fall ill from the same illness in more than one province, federal officials lead the epidemiological investigation. In addition, they provide reference laboratory services, conduct food safety investigations, and initiate recall actions.
When an unsafe food is identified, the CFIA works with the responsible company to remove the food from the marketplace and inform Canadians.
During an Outbreak
The federal, provincial and territorial government departments and agencies responsible for public health and food safety have an established a protocol during an outbreak that ensures Canadians have access to the information they need. This protocol, called the Foodborne Illness Outbreak Response Protocol (FIORP), allows public health and food safety authorities across Canada to respond faster, more efficiently and more effectively to national and international outbreaks.
If an outbreak is only in one province, it is up to that province to inform Canadians. If there are illnesses in more than one province, it is the Public Health Agency of Canada that informs Canadians about the number of people affected and how Canadians can protect themselves.
What steps has the Government taken to improve food safety?
The Government is committed to supporting Canadian families by continuing to take action to improve Canada's food safety system. Since 2006, the Government has:
How will this impact the agricultural sector?
The Government of Canada will continue to support the vital agricultural sector in its efforts to innovate, compete in global markets, and expand trade and commerce opportunities that enable it to contribute significantly to the well-being of Canadians.
The Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food will continue to be responsible for the overall economic well-being of the agricultural sector, including trade and non-food safety activities, as well as key areas of animal health and plant protection. It is important to note that the CFIA will continue to support the Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food in exercising these responsibilities. This will ensure a continued focus on Government policies, programs and services that will help drive the economic prosperity of Canada's agricultural sector.
