Food Safety Investigations

The objectives of a food safety investigation are to determine whether a food safety hazard exists, assess the nature and extent of the issue, and take appropriate actions to eliminate or minimize potential risks to consumers.

The food safety investigation and recall process starts when there is reason to believe that a potentially contaminated food has reached the marketplace.

The Canadian food supply is one of the safest in the world. However, no food safety system can guarantee zero risk. At any point in the production system, food can become contaminated with bacteria, viruses, parasites, chemicals, undeclared allergens or material such as glass or metal fragments.

Food Safety Investigation Reports

As part of the Canadian Food Inspection Agency's (CFIA) commitment to the continual improvement of Canada's food safety system and increased transparency, the CFIA reports on food safety incidents that have caused serious illnesses in Canada or have otherwise significant interest to the Canadian public.

The CFIA discloses the results of its investigation of the implicated food processing plants and the corrective actions taken.

Ongoing Investigations

• Suspected Food Tampering in Potatoes Packed by Linkletter Farms Ltd., Prince Edward Island

2016

• Listeria monocytogenes Food Safety Investigation Saputo Inc. Georgetown, ON, Establishment 1590

2014

• Canadian Food Inspection Agency's Investigation into Salmonella in Chia Seeds
• E. coli O157:H7 Food Safety Investigation Gort's Gouda Cheese Farm
• E. coli O157:H7 Food Safety Investigation Belmont Meats

2013

• Investigation into Cardinal Meat Specialists (E. coli O157:H7)

2012

• Investigation into FreshPoint Inc. (E. coli O157:H7)
• Investigation into Cardinal Meat Specialists (E. coli O157:H7)
• Investigation into XL Foods (E. coli O157:H7)
• Investigation into Daniella brand mangoes (Salmonella)
• Investigation into New Food Classics ( E. coli O157:H7)

Previously published reports are available in archives maintained by Library and Archives Canada.

Reference Material

• Foodborne Illness Outbreak Response Protocol (FIORP)
• Food Safety Investigation and Recall Process
• Progress on Food Safety (The actions taken to meet the Weatherill Report recommendations)
• Protocol for CFIA's Sharing of Information during Food Safety Investigations and Recalls
• Statistics: Food Safety Investigations

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) continuously strives to be transparent and accountable in how it does business.

• Other accountability measures

Date modified:

2016-12-09