Australia/Canada share food safety

Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to share information about food safety emergency issues that may pose a serious or unacceptable risk or threat to the health of consumers.

Food is no longer grown and consumed locally and a food product manufactured on the other side of the world could be on the shelves of our supermarkets in a matter of weeks or even days. A food emergency anywhere in the world can become a matter for concern here in Australia within hours. Food regulators around the world need to continue to work collaboratively to address these food safety issues and the agreement between FSANZ and CFIA is an example of this collaboration.

The MOU builds on the already productive relationship between Canada and Australia on food safety matters. This MOU will enable both CFIA and FSANZ to assist with protecting public health and safety by allowing the countries to share information at the earliest possible time when there is a food emergency that puts the health of consumers at risk. This is a plus for both countries.