The Canadian Food Inspection Agency’s integrated inspection system

Abstract

On 1 April 1997, the government of Canada consolidated the federally mandated food inspection, animal health and plant protection programs under the new Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA). This was an important step in enhancing the efficiency and effectiveness of the federal food inspection system. The new agency is now focusing on developing a fully integrated inspection system that provides the appropriate level of food safety and consumer protection; and continues to facilitate market access for Canadian food products. The agency is evolving its programs through the development of an Integrated Inspection System (IIS) which will bring a consistent inspection approach to all agency programs and will be based on risk, sound science and will promote the use of Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP) principles by the food industry. The development of the “Integrated Inspection System” involves two inter-related initiatives; 1. The development of a single integrated inspection system reference standard that will outline the essential elements of a comprehensive food inspection system and will serve as a benchmark for the re-engineering of the existing food inspection programs within the agency. 2. The analysis and redesign of the current food inspection strategies that will entail mapping the food continuum from production to consumption, identifying the hazards along the continuum, examining the effectiveness and efficiency of the control strategies in place and designing new strategies where required. Through the development of the IIS, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency is continuing to evolve a more effective and efficient inspection system which will better equip the agency to meet its mandate of safe food, consumer protection and market access.