Inspection modernization

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) is building on its strong foundation and strengthening Canada's current federal inspection approaches and tools.

What is inspection modernization?

New technologies, tools and a more comprehensive approach to food inspection are needed to properly manage today’s food safety risks. Inspection modernization includes a broad range of activities that are designed to improve how food is inspected and to improve food safety for Canadians.

The CFIA is proposing a single and consistent inspection approach that could be applied to all regulated food, whether imported, exported or produced domestically.

This approach

  • clearly-defines responsibilities for regulated parties and the CFIA
  • provides consistent oversight for all food sectors subject to regulations enforced by the CFIA
  • expands the use of science and inspection data to help focus resources on areas with the greatest risk
  • adapts inspection to focus on verifying the effectiveness of a regulated parties’ controls for achieving safe and compliant food

For more information, please read the revised draft improved food inspection model.

To support this proposed new approach, the CFIA is also

  • investing in state-of-the-art training and development programs in order to maintain a professional and highly-skilled inspection workforce
  • providing new technology and tools to support the work of industry and inspectors
  • implementing and verifying industry compliance with Health Canada's revised Listeria policy for all high-risk foods

Read The Case for Change and see what other information is available.

How this affects consumers

Inspection modernization will allow the CFIA to detect and respond to food safety issues or emergencies more quickly and more effectively. Consumers would 

  • have better access to information about food, allowing them to make informed decisions and healthy choices
  • benefit from food inspection activities that target the highest risk areas (domestic or imported)

How this affects industry

Inspection modernization will provide Canadian companies the flexibility to design controls that demonstrate that their operations and products comply with all relevant federal standards. It will also create a more level playing field for businesses by streamlining the inspection process in favour of overseeing a single system with one set of food safety requirements.

What information is available?