Is imported produce safe? Is Canadian produce safer?

Canada’s food safety system includes measures to protect the safety of both imported food and food that is produced in Canada.

Health Canada establishes Canada’s food safety standards and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) is responsible for enforcement. The standards apply to all foods sold in Canada, no matter what their origin is.

Both the Canadian government and the food industry agree that imported products should adhere to the same high safety standards that Canadian producers follow. Regulations and programs are in development or in place around the world to move towards global standards for food safety. The federal government has enacted food safety legislation in recent years: the Safe Food for Canadians Act and Regulations. These laws apply to all foods sold interprovincially, imported or exported.