Ottawa, Ont. – The federal government has released its draft model for improving the way food in Canada is inspected.

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) is proposing a single, consistent approach to food inspection for all regulated food commodities, including imports, based on feedback from industry and inspectors.

Last year the federal government announced that it would provide the CFIA with $100 million over five years to modernize food safety inspection. The investment is going towards training and tools for food inspectors, as well as increasing CFIA lab capacity.

The CFIA is seeking input on the proposed draft model until Oct., 31, 2012 on several points:

• A single licensing and registration requirement for businesses importing and/or exporting food products outside of their province;
• More consistent oversight and inspection for all food commodities;
• A scaled approach according to the size and complexity of businesses; and,
• Providing consumers with more information about compliance and enforcement activities.

For more information, or to comment on the proposed model, visit the CFIA website.