The Canadian Produce Marketing Association is ready to support the introduction of the Canadian Food Inspection Agency’s new Safe Food for Canadians Regulations. The SFCR officially came into effect Jan. 15.

The purpose of the SFCR, as described by the CFIA, is to “make our food system even safer by focusing on prevention and allowing for faster removal of unsafe food from the marketplace. They will reduce unnecessary administrative burden on businesses by replacing 14 sets of regulations with one, and will help maintain and grow market access for Canada's agri-food and agricultural sector.”

The SFCR, in concert with the Food Safety Systems Recognition Arrangement, allows Canadian producers to work under one set of food safety regulations while still being recognized by their biggest trading partner, the U.S.

“Canadian consumers can be confident that foods regulated by the SFCR have been grown, manufactured or imported in a system designed to manage the risks associated with the products," said Jeff Hall, CPMA’s food-safety specialist. "I look forward to assisting CPMA members as they transition to working under the SFCR.”

“CPMA would like to thank the CFIA for the collaborative approach they have taken during the development of the Safe Food for Canadians Act and its subsequent regulations,” said Ron Lemaire, CPMA president. “These regulations allow businesses to be innovative while still ensuring they manage the risks associated with their products.”