Canada’s food watchdog has said cost-saving measures that have included the sacking of 100 government inspectors will have no impact on food safety in the country.
This week, around 100 government food inspectors were sacked as a result of major federal government budget cutbacks.
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However, a spokesperson for the Canadian Food Inspection Agency assured just-food that “no cost saving measures will impact food safety.”
Food safety has been at the forefront of Canadian consumers’ minds since 2008, when 22 Canadians died after eating Maple Leaf Foods products tainted with listeria.
Susan Abel, senior director of product safety and trade regulation at industry association Food and Consumer Products of Canada, told just-food that high health standards will be maintained.
“Our food safety system includes robust screening and monitoring by both government agencies and industry.”
