CFIA regulations affecting the import of processed fruit and vegetables into Canada Kevin Smith Processed Products Program Canadian Food Inspection Agency Presentation overview The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) The Processed Products Program Regulatory requirements Import requirements Import inspection Automated Import Retrieval System (AIRS) Organics 2 1
Who we are The CFIA safeguards Canada s food supply and the plants and animals upon which safe and high-quality food depends. Food safety Consumer protection Plant health Animal health 3 Our goals Protect Canadians from preventable health risks Protect consumers through a fair and effective food, animal and plant regulatory regime that supports competitive domestic and international markets Sustain the plant and animal resource base Contribute to the security of Canada s food supply and agricultural resource base Provide sound agency management 4 2
Our people Approx. 6,500 dedicated and highly trained professionals work across Canada. We have: 18 regional offices 160 field offices 5 Managing food safety risks The CFIA Enforces food safety and quality requirements of food sold in Canada* Verifies industry compliance with federal acts and regulations Encourages science-based risk management Operates emergency response system Approximately 350 food recalls are managed each year *policies and standards are set by Health Canada 6 3
Protecting consumers and the marketplace from unfair practices For example, the CFIA Enforces standards for food labelling Nutrition labelling English and French on prepackaged products Monitors food for wholesomeness, compliance with grade (if applicable), packaging requirements, and marketing to avoid marketplace deception 7 The CFIA enforces several Acts including: Canada Agricultural Products Act Food and Drugs Act and Regulations Consumer Packaging and Labelling Act and Regulations 8 4
Canada Agricultural Products Act (CAPA) The "Canada Agricultural Products Act provides a comprehensive legislative base and broad regulation making authorities Facilitates trade in agricultural products by establishing standards for: the registration and operation of establishments grade and compositional provisions labelling requirements standard container sizes, and conditions for import, export and interprovincial trade 9 Regulations under CAPA Canada Agricultural Products Act (CAPA) Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Regulations Processed Products Regulations (fruit and vegetables) Dairy Product Regulations Egg Regulations Processed Egg Regulations Honey Regulations Organic Products Regulations 10 5
Agrifood Division Fresh Fruits & Vegetables Program Dairy, Egg, Honey Safety Product Quality Processed Products Program Shell Egg Dairy Processed Fruits & Vegetables Maple Products Processed Egg Honey 11 CFIA, Processed Products Program Responsible for: Program design and the development of tools and guidance that enable effective and efficient front-line inspection delivery for processed fruit and vegetables Program to verify that maple and processed fruit and vegetable products regulated under the Processed Products Regulations which are produced in federally-registered establishments or imported into Canada are safe, wholesome, properly packaged and labelled. 12 6
Processed Products Processed Products Regulations cover most shelf stable (e.g. canned, bottled) and frozen fruits and vegetables Canned and frozen fruits and vegetables Pickles and some condiments, e.g. ketchup Fruit and vegetable juices, e.g. apple, tomato 13 The processed products program develops regulations and manuals Policies and procedures for inspection activities Product inspection manual Establishment inspection manual Product sampling plans for laboratory analysis Import requirements to address specific issues Develops regulations and policies and works on national and international standards (eg CODEX). 14 7
CFIA Operational Processed Product Activities Establishment Activities Establishment registration, inspection Product Inspection Activities Verification of grades, labelling, standards of identity, container size and net quantity verifications Sampling Program Chemical residues, microbiology, food additives and compositional standards 15 Laboratory analysis Food products are subject to sampling for: Chemical residues Microbiology Adulteration Additives Contaminants Nutrients 16 8
Basic Labelling Requirements Mandatory label information must be in English and French for products packaged for consumers. common name As set out in standards net quantity declaration Volume or weight in metric name and address Imported by, imported for etc..or address of manufacturer Country of origin «Product of Chile» unless country declared with address 17 Basic Labelling Requirements cont list of ingredients storage instructions (when needed) Eg «keep frozen» Canadian Nutrition Facts table 18 9
Nutrition Facts Tables Standard Format Horizontal Format Linear Format 19 CFIA automated import system Reference tools (AIRS) Electronic link with Customs (EDI) Control & Tracking (ICTS) 10
Automated Import Reference System (AIRS) The CFIA has an Automated Import Reference System (AIRS) available on our website www.inspection.gc.ca AIRS is a resource tool for CBSA, brokers, importers and the general public which lists specific import requirements 3 Import Service Centers review documentation and recommend release. Shipment may also be released automatically. Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) Canadian Importer uses EDI to submit shipment declaration. CFIA and Canadian Border Services Agency (CBSA) uses EDI to track shipments. Shipment must include import declaration 22 11
Inspection Program Processed Products: Basic Import Requirements must meet Canadian requirements set out in the Processed Products Regulations, Consumer Packaging and Labelling Regulations, Food and Drugs Regulations, must be accompanied by an Import Declaration form; and Subject to inspection and sampling by CFIA (risk based sampling plans) 23 Includes: Product requirements Food Safety Minimum Grade Standard of Identity (composition) Container sizes Labeling Import Producted must be accompanied by Import Declaration form 24 12
Inspection Program (continued) At Border Points Canada Customs verification of documentation directives from CFIA communication; advises CFIA of destination of product release shipments into Canada/refuses entry CFIA some inspections at border; blitzes 25 Inspection Program (continued) Inspection at destination (in Canada) Frequency Product Inspection Program; Inspector s Manual determined by history of product, origin and destination Annual workplan Sampling Random sampling sampling plans provided to inspectors 26 13
Inspection Program (continued) Levels of inspection Monitoring Normal level Verification of compliance Surveillance Investigation/ascertain problem Compliance Control non compliant produce Import Alert/lookout/100% inspection Stop Sale 27 Inspection Program (continued) Detention of product Non-compliant product is detained according to prescribed procedures Product is either: destroyed sent back to country of origin corrected (when applicable) Importer advises CFIA of the detention procedure which will be taken CFIA lifts detention when satisfied that proper procedure has been taken 28 14
Organic Products Regulations, 2009 (OPR) Came into effect June 30, 2009 Objectives: Effective consumer protection against deceptive and misleading labelling practices Continued market access Equivalency 29 Canadian Organic Standards OPR 2009 Incorporates by reference the Canadian Organic Standard to claim organic a product must be certified to the standard The Organic Standards are updated by the Committee on Organic Agriculture The Canadian General Standards Board (CGSB) manages the maintenance of the Organic Standard 30 15
Logo: OPR 2009 Use of the logo is voluntary Only for products with 95% or more organic ingredients 31 Contact Information Canadian Food Inspection Agency www.inspection.gc.ca 32 16
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