Agri-Food Trade Service

Content Manager's Blog

This Web site was created 15 years ago as a source of market information and export support activities for Canadian companies. As the web evolves and our interaction with clients intensifies we've decided to take a more active approach in keeping you informed with what we've published recently and to give a sneak peak at what you can look forward to in the coming months in the hopes of giving you a reason to come back and get more involved with our projects.

Food Safety Modernization Act

January 5, 2012

The ATS, once again, invited the Global Food Safety Resource (GFSR) to continue the increasingly important conversation regarding food safety. They have contributed their expertise on this global issue and provided sound advice and considerations for Canadian exporters. Below are the GFSR's recommendations for reaching compliance with the new FSMA regulations, a topic of high priority for any Canadian exporter.

MUST READ for Canadian Exporters: How to achieve compliance with the FSMA

Consistently, the food industry cites the regulatory landscape as their number one issue of concern, and also one of the hardest to navigate. Staying compliant and up-to-date can be challenging even at the best of times – and particularly daunting as this landscape evolves and changes over time.

An example of a major change in the regulatory approach to food safety is the Food Safety Modernization Act, the biggest overhaul of food safety regulations in the US in decades.

But it doesn't just impact food companies in the US – it impacts every exporting country that does business with them. Food companies around the world now have to educate themselves about the requirements of the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) and how it will impact their operations at home.

Finding a concise, detailed description of regulations can be difficult – that's why, when the GFSR came across this plain-language document aimed at Canadian exporters, we had to share it: The New Food Safety Regime in the United States: How Will It Affect Canadian Competitiveness (A paper commissioned by the Canadian Agriculture Trade Policy and Competitiveness Research Network – CATPRN)

This document is a MUST READ for any food company exporting to the US in the wake of the Food Safety Modernization Act. Not only does it lay out each particular aspect of the FSMA that applies to exporters in an easy-to-understand manner (see section 2.0), it also provides an economic perspective to help Canadian companies understand the costs related to the new requirements and stay competitive in the marketplace.

It is very important for Canadian companies to be able to meet the provisions of the FSMA. As the paper states, "the US is by far Canada's largest trading partner, accounting for approximately three quarters of Canada's exports and two thirds of imports in 2009." The success of Canadian firms in meeting the challenges of the FSMA relies first and foremost on their access to information – and this document goes a long way in providing the details Canadian companies need to get out of the starting gate and on track for success.

Until next time,

By: Allie Gallant, New Media Editor, editor@globalfoodsafetyresource.com www.globalfoodsafetyresource.com

Global Food Safety Resource Centre Inc. © 2011-12. All rights reserved.

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