Notice Regarding the Information Sessions on the Implementation of the 2011 Health Canada "Policy on Listeria monocytogenes in Ready-to-Eat Foods"

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January 18, 2013

To: All Processors, Importers, and Distributors of Ready-to-Eat Fresh-Cut Fruit and Vegetables and all CFIA Registered Establishments and Importers of Ready-to-Eat Processed Fruit and Vegetable Products.

Subject: Information Sessions on the Implementation of the 2011 Health Canada "Policy on Listeria monocytogenes in Ready-to-Eat Foods".

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program and Processed Products Program will hold several information sessions to promote the recommended food safety practices detailed in Health Canada's revised "Policy on Listeria monocytogenes in Ready-To-Eat Foods", also referred to as the Listeria Policy.

The objectives of the information sessions are to:

  1. Introduce the revised Listeria Policy;
  2. Explain the Listeria Policy in relation to the fresh fruit and vegetable fresh-cut (minimally processed) and processed products sector;
  3. Describe roles and responsibilities in relation to the Listeria Policy; and
  4. Describe the CFIA's oversight activities.

The CFIA encourages all processors, importers and distributors of ready-to-eat (RTE) fresh-cut fruit and vegetables and all CFIA registered establishments and importers of RTE processed fruits and vegetables (in particular those processing or importing frozen fruits and vegetables, refrigerated pickles, olives and sauerkraut) to attend the information session.

Stakeholders should read the revised Policy on Listeria monocytogenes, which can be found on Health Canada's website, prior to attending the information session.

The information session will take approximately two and a half (2.5) hours and will include a presentation followed by a question and answer period, to help address specific questions pertaining to the fresh fruit and vegetable and processed products sector.

In total, there will be three (3) face-to-face information sessions held in various locations across the country, as outlined in the following schedule.

Face-to-Face Information Session Schedule
Date Time Location Official
Language
RSVP*
March 5, 2013 1:30 - 4:00 (PST) CFIA
4321 Still Creek Drive, Room 130
Burnaby, BC V5C 6S7
English February 15, 2013
March 8, 2013 1:00 - 3:30 (EST) CFIA
1050 Courtneypark Dr. East
David G. Iredale Boardroom, Room 101
Mississauga, ON L5T 2R4
English February 22, 2013
March 27, 2013 1:30 - 4:00 (EST) CFIA
2001 University St.,
5th Floor, Room 527
Montreal, QC H3A 3N2
(Note: Reception is on 6th floor)
French March 15, 2013

In addition to the face-to-face information sessions, the same information will be presented during the following five (5) webinar / teleconference information sessions.

Webinar/Teleconference Information Session Schedule
Date Time (EST) Location Official
Language
RSVP*
April 9, 2013 1:30 - 4:00 Webinar / Teleconference English April 5, 2013
April 11, 2013 1:30 - 4:00 Webinar / Teleconference French April 5, 2013
April 24, 2013 1:30 - 4:00 Webinar / Teleconference English April 19, 2013
May 7, 2013 1:30 - 4:00 Webinar / Teleconference English May 3, 2013
May, 15 2013 1:30 - 4:00 Webinar / Teleconference English May 10, 2013

*Please RSVP by the date indicated in the tables above. Attendance to the information sessions will be on a first come basis, as space is limited.

You must register by email to FFV.CFIA@inspection.gc.ca. In your email state:

  • The information session date, time, and location (if applicable) you would like to participate on; and
  • Your name, along with the company name / association you will be representing.

Please direct all questions regarding the industry information sessions to FFV.CFIA@inspection.gc.ca.