CFIA

New Canadian food safety import requirements for U.S. romaine lettuce could cost the Canadian industry between $11 million and $13 million per week, and the mandate to test Salinas Valley romaine for E. coli add to costs for California shippers. 

Even more concerning, industry leaders say, is the precedent the testing mandate will have on future trade between the two countries.

“CPMA will continue to work with both industry and government to endeavor to mitigate this impact as much as possible; our goal is to avoid a similar situation as we all move forward,” said Ron Lemaire, president of the Canadian Produce Marketing Association.

Jane Proctor, vice president of policy and issue management for CPMA, said CPMA is developing a task force made up of approximately 10 industry food safety experts from both Canada and the U.S.

"The intended task is to review the CFIA requirements for romaine imports from the U.S., as currently written, to identify issues including with sampling and testing as included in the requirements, including how the current requirements will affect the supply chain," Proctor said.

The task force will also provide suggestions back to CFIA on how to make the procedure workable for industry, she said in an e-mail Oct. 9.

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency has issued a national consumer advisory on President's Choice gluten-free chicken strips for possible undeclared of gluten.

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency has issued a recall on a type of Taylor Farms brand salad kits that may contain undeclared gluten, sesame and wheat allergens.

This August, during Tree Check Month, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) and its partners in plant health protection are encouraging Canadians to check their trees and gardens for signs of insects, disease and other organisms that harm plants.