CFIA Launched Consultations on New Food Regulations

On June 4, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) launched consultation on the new food regulati…

On June 4, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) launched consultation on the new food regulations to be developed under the Safe Food for Canadians Act. On the same day, CFIA opened consultations for labeling modernization. In parallel, CFIA presented its new approach towards
compliance promotion and outcome-based regulation.

Food Regulations
At this event, CFIA launched consultations on the New Food Regulations to be developed under the Safe Food for Canadians Act. A 50-page "discussion paper" was submitted for consultation and is attached to this report.
This represents the very first step in a consultation process that is planned to extend over the next 18 months, as the ideas get crystallized and the food regulations are developed. The initial engagement process opened on June 4th and will run until October 31, 2013.

Feedback can be provided to CFIA, quoting "regulatory framework," as follows:
 By email: CFIA-Modernisation-ACIA@inspection.gc.ca
 By mail:
Strategic Partnerships Division
1400 Merivale Road, Tower 1
Floor 6, suite 218
Ottawa, ON K1A 0Y9
Canada
Attn: regulatory framework
 By fax: 613-773-5606

In terms of next steps, and based on information available today, it is expected that Canada will release a "food regulations statement of regulatory intent," in the spring of 2014, which will be submitted for further consultations. In the fall of 2014, CFIA intends to submit a "final draft for food regulations" for formal consultations. Finally, in January 2015, the new food regulations are expected to come into force.

Labeling Modernization
CFIA's Food Safety Forum also marked the beginning of consultations on the review of labeling regulations. A "discussion paper" for Food Labeling Modernization was submitted during the Forum and is also attached to this report.

Feedback can be provided to CFIA until December 2013 by using the same coordinates described above, but quoting "food labeling modernization."
It is important to note that this labeling modernization initiative, while it will include all foods, will only cover most (but not all) of the regulations under CFIA authority, such as list of ingredients, grade marks, common name, standards of identity, etc.