AAFC launches new Food Safety Initiative in Ontario

01/03/06 Ontario will receive $20 million over the next three years from Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) to further the implementation of food safety systems in its food processing sector. The Food Safety Initiative (FSI) will help the industry maintain its high standards in food safety and quality.

The FSI was announced by Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food and Minister for the Canadian Wheat Board Chuck Strahl and Ontario Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs Leona Dombrowsky.

The FSI, one component of AAFC's Canadian Food Safety and Quality Program, currently centers on implementation and outreach. Under the implementation element, non-federally registered food processing plants can access financial assistance to implement food safety systems in their operations. These systems will be based on Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP) principles, an internationally recognized, science-based approach that works to ensure food safety by anticipating and preventing problems during the production of food products.

The outreach element is aimed at raising awareness of food safety issues in the food processing industry through various learning activities and pilot projects.

Initially, the FSI will provide assistance for non-federally registered food or drink processing plants in Ontario to develop projects that support the development of Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs), HACCP-based systems and/or ISO 22000. The federal government contribution for each activity is 90 percent of eligible costs.

The FSI is funded under the Agriculture Policy Framework, a federal-provincial-territorial initiative that aims to position Canada as the world leader in food safety, innovation and environmentally responsible agricultural production.

The Canadian Food Safety and Quality Program will maintain and enhance Canada's reputation as a producer of safe and high-quality food products. Fostering confidence in the safety and quality of Canadian food is recognized as critical to ensure the strength of the agriculture and agri-food sector over the long term.

The Canadian Food Safety and Quality Program has three components including a Systems Development component, an On-Farm Implementation component, and the Food Safety Initiative.

The Food Safety Initiative involves implementation and outreach activities aimed, in part, at increasing the number of non-federally registered food processing plants having or moving towards Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP) food safety systems in their operations.

Through the implementation element of the Food Safety Initiative, funding will be made available for provinces to support development and implementation of Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs), HACCP-based food safety systems, and/or ISO 22000 in non-federally registered food processing plants. Processors will be eligible to receive funding equivalent to 90 percent of eligible costs for the development and implementation of:

- HACCP-based systems and/or ISO 22000 to a maximum of $20,000.- Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs) to a maximum of $15,000.

The outreach component includes activities aimed at raising awareness, knowledge development and implementation of food safety process control systems through pilot activities and the development of generic models and related administration within the food processing sector. These activities may include but are not limited to training and the preparation and dissemination of information materials.

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