Letter: CANADA has stringent food safety standards: minister

19.mar.08
St. Catharines Standard

Gerry Ritz, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, writes regarding, We risk losing our local food sources, The Standard, March 13, to say that the government of Canada is delivering real action to make sure Canadian families can go to the grocery store knowing the food they purchase is safe. We have one of the most stringent food safety systems in the world and this government is ensuring we are ready to meet the new challenges of a global market.
This column in The Standard questioned Canada's food safety and labelling practices.
The government is listening to consumers and we understand they want more information about the origin of the foods they buy.
That is why this government is delivering concrete actions that will ensure Canadians have the information they need to make informed choices.
On Dec. 17, Prime Minister Stephen Harper announced this government's Food and Product Safety Action Plan that will ensure Canada's food and product safety system is ready to meet the new challenges of a global market. Building on this initiative, we committed $113 million in the 2008 budget for the Food and Product Safety Action Plan.
This government is working hard to make sure every food product, whether domestic or imported, meets Canada's stringent food safety standards.
Canada has one of the safest food supplies in the world.
This government is working hard to make sure our system keeps our families safe.