Canada Introduces Fines for Meat Safety Failures
From Food Safety News
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) has amended its regulations so that it can fine meat processors for violations of food safety programs such as Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP) and non-food safety issues such as labeling and consumer protection.
The new Administrative Monetary Penalties (AMPs) apply to 84 provisions of the Meat Inspection Act (MIA) and the Meat Inspection Regulations (MIR) and will be used when a licensed operator fails to “take timely and effective action on non-compliance.” For example, companies could be fined if they don’t develop, implement and maintain control programs and procedures as described by HACCP; don’t possess and maintain equipment and material necessary to operate; or don’t develop, implement or maintain a written sanitation program.
The fines can range from $500 to $10,000, depending on the severity of the offense, intent and compliance history.
CFIA notes that the penalties don’t replace existing inspection and enforcement tools such as issuing written warnings or suspending a processor’s license and closing a plant. Instead, the fines offer the agency another tool to address non-compliance.