Regulatory
REGULATORY NEWS FOR THE WEEK OF JULY 29, 2024
Effective September 26, 2024, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) will again add a temporary condition to Fresh Fruit and Vegetable import licences, which will require sampling and testing of some California romaine lettuce prior to import into Canada. The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) is consulting on a new approach to modernizing Canadian fresh fruit and vegetable grades. Our goal is to support a more efficient model for grades that will facilitate trade, support economic growth, and align with the CFIA’s mandate. Clarification for sulphur dioxide gas used on prepackaged fresh grapes. The Fresh Fruits or Vegetables page of the Industry Labelling Tool (ILT) has been updated to clarify that the limit of 10 ppm of sulphur dioxide gas used on fresh grapes during storage and transportation applies to all prepackaged fresh grapes. This limit reflects the residual level of sulphites measured on fresh grapes at the point of sale to consumers. Notice with respect to certain per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) Pursuant to paragraph 71(1)(b) of the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999 (the Act), notice is hereby given that the Minister of the Environment is required to assess whether the substances described in Schedule 1 to this notice are toxic or are capable of becoming toxic, or to assess whether to control or the manner in which to control the listed substances, any person described in section 2 of this notice who possesses or who may reasonably be expected to have access to the information required in sections 8 to 14 of this notice to provide that information no later than January 29, 2025. Emergencies caused by severe weather are becoming more frequent and complex, both here in Canada and around the world. The wildfire situation in Jasper, Alberta, shows how quickly these events can escalate and their devasting impacts on individuals (both residents and visitors to the area), infrastructure and communities. Everyone is at risk of health impacts from smoke, regardless of their age or health, but some populations are at greater risk. The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) Greater Toronto Area (GTA) Region has released operational and enforcement highlights covering the period from January 1 to October 31, 2023. The GTA Region is home to approximately 2,500 CBSA employees who support over 340 service points in Ontario. The region hosts the agency’s largest air, cargo, mail processing, and trade operations in the country and its primary point of entry, Toronto Pearson International Airport (TPIA), serves as a hub for both travellers and goods entering Canada. The Honourable Dominic LeBlanc, Minister of Public Safety, Democratic Institutions and Intergovernmental Affairs, announced that the Government of Canada is removing barriers to help commerce move more freely within Canada. In Canada, the cumulative health risk assessment of active ingredients belonging to the organophosphate (OP) class of pesticides, as described in SPN2018-02, Cumulative Health Risk Assessment Framework, was initiated in May 2022. Under the authority of section 16 of the Pest Control Products Act, the Canadian registrants of 11 OP pesticides were notified of initiating the cumulative risk assessment (CRA) of this class of compounds. The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) is currently undertaking the scheduled five-year review of the Safe Food for Canadians Act (SFCA), including a public consultation period that ran from March to May 2024. While the consultation is now closed, the review is ongoing and has created opportunities for discussion between regulators and the industry.
Nova Scotia beekeepers will have access to more financial support this year. The governments of Canada and Ontario are investing up to $538,000 through the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership (Sustainable CAP) to expand the Farmer Wellness Initiative to Ontario farm workers. The Province is introducing a new policy that will allow farmers to apply for an exemption on land used exclusively for agriculture research from the land limits (to a maximum of 350 acres) as legislated under the Lands Protection Act. Eligible farmers must meet the specific criteria outlined in the policy, and examples of research that will be encouraged include identifying resilient and disease-resistant crop varieties, pursuing innovative farming techniques, sustainable soil health practices, and methods that aim to increase yields throughout the industry. On July 16, the FDA published the FDA Voices: “From Awareness to Action: Tackling the Rising Burden of Common Chronic Diseases,” by Robert M. Califf, M.D., Commissioner of Food and Drugs. In this FDA Voices, Dr. Califf expounds on the recent decline in life expectancy in the U.S. largely due, in part, to the cumulative impact of common chronic diseases. Chronic diseases of the heart, lungs, kidneys, liver, and metabolism (such as obesity and diabetes) account for the vast majority of deaths in this country. Each year in the United States, every 10 seconds, a food allergy sends a patient to the emergency room, resulting in an estimated 3.4 million hospital visits. FSIS is now implementing a new allergen verification sampling program that will allow the Agency to test for 14 food allergens and gluten. This new program will include analysis for soy, crustacean shellfish (e.g., crab, lobster, shrimp), eggs, peanuts, milk, nine tree nuts (almond, Brazil nut, cashew, coconut, hazelnut, macadamia, pine nut, pistachio, and walnut), and gluten. The documentary “Poisoned: The Dirty Truth About Your Food” has been nominated for an Emmy in the Outstanding Current Affairs Documentary category. “Poisoned” delves into the 1993 Jack in the Box E. coli outbreak, which was a pivotal moment in American food safety history. The outbreak, which resulted in numerous illnesses and deaths, spurred significant changes in food safety regulations and practices. Three additional human cases of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) A(H5) (“H5 bird flu”) virus infection have been confirmed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in association with a second poultry farm in Northeast Colorado/Weld County. The European Commission has found major problems with French controls in the water sector with the system not ensuring compliance with the rules. The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) has been scaling up. It will continue to increase its support to Small Island Developing States (SIDS) to transform their agrifood systems to enable them to be part of the climate solutions and effectively contribute to food availability, accessibility and affordability. The World Health Organization is participating in the Paris Olympics in multiple fields, supporting the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and France to help make the world’s leading sports spectacle, which officially starts this Friday, healthy and safe for spectators and athletes alike. Safety Share The LivingBasics Baby Bassinet Bedside Sleeper Bedside Crib do not meet the Canadian Regulations. Specifically, the product’s sleep surface provides an incline angle greater than 7 degrees, posing a risk of entrapment and suffocation to the child. Additionally, small parts can detach, posing a choking hazard. Have an event you would like to share? Please send details to [email protected]. ChemEdge is a conference and trade show tailored for the chemical distribution channel. It provides training and education on issues important to chemical distributors, manufacturers, warehouses and service support companies. Canadian Institute (CI) is pleased to announce that the 2nd Advanced Summit on Food Law and Regulation Canada will be returning to Mississauga, ON on September 25 – 26, 2024 Brett Greenlee, the Key Accounts and Sales Manager at Trace Analytics, will lead a discussion covering all the basics of compressed air testing.Advocacy
The temporary conditions will be required from September 26 to December 18, 2024.
Complete details on the Safe Food for Canadians licence conditions and other existing import requirements are outlined here:
You are invited to share your thoughts on proposed options for developing and maintaining Canadian fresh fruit and vegetable grade standards by October 20, 2024.Canadian Federal News
Canadian Provincial News
The Apiculture Sustainable Growth and Health Program will provide eligible beekeepers up to $50,000, an increase from the maximum of $27,000 in 2023.US News
International News
Other Relevant Information
EVENTS
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