Canadian Food Inspection Agency's On-site Assessment Report of Mexico's Food Safety Control System for Fresh Fruit and Vegetables – 2017
Executive summary
This report summarizes observations made during the Canadian Food Inspection Agency's (CFIA) March 2017 on-site assessment of Mexico's government oversight of food safety controls for fresh fruits and vegetables (FFV).
The main objective of the visit was to increase CFIA's understanding of Mexico's food safety system as it relates to FFV, that is the Contamination Risk Reduction System (CRRS), and to verify its implementation. It was also intended to strengthen our relationship with the competent authority (CA) of Mexico (National Service of Health, Food Safety and Agro-Alimentary Quality (SENASICA)) and, to increase their awareness of Canadian import requirements for FFV.
The results of this assessment will inform the CFIA's import controls and help the CFIA direct oversight resources to areas of highest risk. This can lead to increased consumer confidence in imported products, while contributing to market access benefits.
The assessment was conducted March 6 to 17, 2017 at sites in 7 states and included: meetings with the CA, 12 primary production units (farms and packing facilities), 5 Collaboration Bodies (CBs) and the National Reference Center for Pesticides and Contaminants (NRCPC).
The key elements of the assessment included:
Authorities
- Current food legislative authorities, including regulations, standards, codes of practice, and arrangements
- Authority to recognize and accredit parties involved in the CRRS
- Authority to carry out microbiological risk assessments, monitoring and surveillance activities
- Authority to respond to non-compliances where risk has been identified, for example, recalls, other control and enforcement activities
Government organization and resources
- The roles and responsibilities of the various government departments and authorities involved in the CRRS
- The resources, responsibilities, functions, and coordination between the parties involved in the CRRS
- Resources and competencies of the CA parties involved in the delivery of the CRRS
- Analytical support facilities and programs, for example, number of laboratories, facilities and equipment, accreditation, monitoring programs, etc.
Third parties involved in the implementation of the CRRS
- Organizations responsible for the implementation of the CRRS and their relationship with the CA
Inspection, enforcement and surveillance activities
- Role of the CA in inspection, surveillance, and enforcement
The assessment determined that the CA has established a voluntary system for the reduction of contamination risks for FFV (the CRRS). This program ensures that FFVs are produced under optimal sanitary conditions.
Under the current legislative structure, Mexico does not have the authority to require mandatory participation in the CRRS for either export or domestic markets. However, if the CA has an agreement with an importing country that requires specific products to be produced under the CRRS, then the CRRS becomes mandatory. For example, this is the case with the United States of America (for papayas, cantaloupes and cilantro) and Japan (for avocadoes).
This report provides a number of recommendations which highlight opportunities for improvement and enhancement of the CA's implementation of the CRRS.
The observations and recommendations contained in this report are based on information provided to the assessment team through the Canadian Assessment Standards tool, personal interviews, and on-site observation. They represent the collective understanding of the members of the assessment team.
- Date modified: