A Comparison of Canadian and Colombian Food Inspection Systems

Abstract

This article compares food inspection systems of Canada and Colombia. The Canadian Processed Products Establishment Inspection Manual (PPEIM) for products of plant origin is used as a model. The Canadian food inspection system has the advantage of including specific regulations per product type, making the establishment inspection more precise. Colombia lacks a sound health risk model to establishment inspection. The Canadian Health Risk Assessment Model might serve as a basis for building a health risk model. In Canada, establishment registration is mandatory and is a requisite for food product marketing. In Colombia, establishment inspection is mandatory but not requisite for product registration and marketing. Colombian regulations should be reviewed to make the food inspection system stronger and more soundly based on preventive dispositions, specifically establishment inspection as a prerequisite for product registration and marketing. In Canada, specificity of inspection instruments such as the PPEIM increases food safety. In Colombia, the Food Processing Establishment Check List (FPECL) is not specific about product or process type. There is no specificity in regards to the control process, making this inspection instrument weak when inspecting different process types. In Colombia, there is a need for guide instruments such as a manual to support the FPECL assessment criteria used during establishment inspections. In Colombia, the FPECL does not include inspection of a recall system and process records.