Advocacy
NEW from Health Canada’s Consumer Product Safety Program
The Compliance and Enforcement Division of the Consumer and Hazardous Products Safety Directorate (CHPSD) is pleased to share with you the Annual compliance verification report for 2024-2025. The report is available through an interactive dashboard that will be updated each fiscal year. This annual report provides details on the top recalled consumer product categories and targeted inspection activities related to consumer products and cosmetics that took place during the year.
Federal
Harmonisation achievements in the Quality area include pivotal milestones such as the conduct of stability studies, defining relevant thresholds for impurities testing and a more flexible approach to pharmaceutical quality based on Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) risk management.
Andriani officially opens first North American plant in Ontario – Food In CanadaFood In Canada
Andriani, a manufacturer of gluten-free and plant-based food products and headquartered in Puglia, Italy, officially opened its first North American production facility in London, Ont., earlier this week. The 61,225-sf plant will produce Andriani’s Felicia-branded non-GMO, gluten-free pasta.
Updates to CFIA Plant Program Directives and Webpages – Transition to My CFIA
In follow-up to our June 2025 notification regarding the digitalization of plant program services, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) is updating several policy directives and webpages to reflect the new application and registration process through My CFIA.
The following directives and associated webpages were updated:
These updates support the transition to a digital application process for systems-based programs. Please note that while the application and registration process is changing, the program requirements themselves remain unchanged.
Regulated parties will be required to submit registration applications through a My CFIA service request. Additional guidance and resources will be provided to support onboarding and reapplication. For more information, please refer to the original notification
Pauline Rochefort, Parliamentary Secretary to the Secretary of State (Rural Development), and Member of Parliament for Nipissing-Timiskaming, today announced a Government of Canada investment of $786,294 in Economic Partners Sudbury East/West Nipissing to ensure the continued operation of the Northern Ontario Agri-Food Pavilion at the 2025 Royal Agricultural Winter Fair (the Royal). The announcement was made on behalf of the Honourable Patty Hajdu, Minister of Jobs and Families and Minister responsible for FedNor.
CARM Client Support Helpdesk Change in Service Hours
Please be advised that the CARM Client Support Helpdesk telephone line (1-800-461-9999) hours have changed, effective today, October 15, 2025. The telephone will now operate consistent with the Border Information Services line, offering 8am to 4pm support based on the local time of the caller, determined by the area code of the phone number. This is anticipated to even out the call volumes across the country and allow the helpdesk to continue to offer improved response times.
This means a 613 area code calling from Ottawa, ON at 4pm ET will receive a message advising of office being closed. Whereas a caller from 604 area code calling from Vancouver, BC at 4pm ET will receive service as it is 1pm local time (PST) for the area code.
PMRA Recent postings of consultations and decisions
The Health Canada Pest Management Regulatory Agency (PMRA) is responsible for pesticide regulation in Canada. The public registry is where you can learn more about all pest control products registered for use in Canada.
- Putrescent whole egg solids, indole, sucrose, trimethylamine, Saccharomyces cerevisiae strain Y243 (RD2025-07) Decision Posted: October 23, 2025
- DEET plus related active toluamides (PRVD2025-09) Open Consultation Posted: October 23, 2025
Provincial
2025 harvest wrap-up: Minister Sigurdson | alberta.ca
As the 2025 growing season comes to a close, Minister of Agriculture and Irrigation RJ Sigurdson issued the following statement:
“We applaud our producers’ dedication to growing the high-quality agricultural products people around the world enjoy as they gather and create memories over the food we produce right here in Alberta.
“Hot, dry weather through late summer and into fall supported a rapid harvest pace that kept farmers working hard to ensure crops were off the fields before the weather shifted.
WSIB Ontario
Are you ready to join the hundreds of small businesses using the Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety’s Business Safety Portal to improve workplace safety – while saving up to $1,700 a year?
As a WSIB-registered business, you have free access to industry-specific resources, like templates, online courses aimed at small businesses, and practical manuals you can use to help you make your workplace safer and help meet your legal obligations.
You can get started this Small Business Week by simply logging in to or signing up for your WSIB online services account and clicking ‘access free health and safety resources’ on the business home menu. Then click the ‘sign up’ button and follow the prompts once you’re in the Business Safety Portal.
Providing you access to the Business Safety Portal is another way we’re here to help you invest in your business and keep your people safe.
You can use the ‘contact us’ button in the Business Safety Portal to ask the Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety questions about the resources or if you need technical support.
n a major step towards Canada’s clean energy future, Ontario’s Minister of Energy and Mines Stephen Lecce joined Nova Scotia’s Premier and Minister of Energy Tim Houston in Halifax to sign a landmark agreement to collaborate on the development of small modular reactors (SMRs). This new partnership taps into Ontario’s global leadership and expertise in SMR technology to help drive Nova Scotia’s clean energy transition, while reinforcing Canada’s position as a world leader in cutting-edge nuclear innovation.
Large fossil footprint found in PEI | Government of Prince Edward Island
A remarkable fossil footprint has been discovered in PEI by a local and it shines a new spotlight on the province for its world-class Permian Period fossils. Found along the shore of Hillsborough Bay, the fossil footprint dates back about 290 million years. The footprint is 25 centimeters wide and may have been made by a Pareiasaur, a heavily built, knobby-skulled plant eater that could weigh up to one tonne, the largest animal to roam the equatorial regions of Pangea at the time. This discovery adds to the growing number of fossils from reptiles and amphibians that once roamed the province millions of years ago.
USA
Contaminated irrigation water is a significant route by which foodborne pathogens are introduced to produce. In this context, a new study assessed the efficacy of a commercial preharvest water treatment, specifically, the SalmoFresh lytic bacteriophage cocktail, against Salmonella Infantis.
USDA to reopen Farm Service Agency offices | Supermarket Perimeter
The US Department of Agriculture will reopen its 2,100 Farm Service Agency offices on Oct. 23 and announce $3 billion in assistance to farmers.
New survey reveals consumer concerns about food recalls | Food Safety News
As the U.S. food industry prepares for heightened traceability under the Food Safety Modernization Act’s (FSMA) Rule 204, a new national survey underscores just how concerned consumers remain about food recalls and the safety of the products on their plates. The findings highlight the urgency for companies across the supply chain to accelerate their traceability capabilities — not only to meet regulatory requirements, but also to build and sustain consumer trust.
A diverse coalition of 84 organizations has called on House and Senate lawmakers to oppose any legislative efforts that would block state laws protecting consumers from toxic chemicals in food.
International
Bird flu hits 48 percent fatality rate in humans | Food Safety News
The Pan American Health Organization is reporting another human death from the bird flu.
As of August, there have been 76 human cases and two deaths in five countries in the Americas, according to the organization. There have been 990 patients and 475 deaths across 25 countries, for a fatality rate of 48 percent.
Nestlé partners with World Farm Organisation
Regenerative agriculture provides more security for supply chains, believes the multinational.
PepsiCo Launches Inaugural Global Farmer Awards – Quality Assurance & Food Safety
PepsiCo honored those behind the food system with the launch of its inaugural Global Farmer Awards, recognizing farmers, farming families and advisors from across its global supply chain. Held at PepsiCo’s headquarters in Purchase, N.Y., the celebration brought together nearly 60 farmers and advisors from 19 countries to recognize their achievements in sustainability, innovation and leadership in agriculture.
FAO on innovating in food security
Combining tech with other forms of innovation is the only way forward
Safety Share
Here’s a tip for avoiding injuries when carving jack-o-lanterns. Let your kids draw the face or design on the pumpkin, but then have an adult carve it.
Click on the link for more great tips on Halloween safety!
Events
Day 1: Tue, Nov 18th 10:45 a.m. – 4 p.m. ET
Day 2: Wed, Nov. 19th 10- 11:30 a.m. ET and 2-3:30 p.m. ET
Day 3: Thu, Nov. 20th 10- 11:30 a.m. ET and 2-3:30 p.m. ET
The FDA will host, in collaboration with various stakeholders, including industry, consumer groups, healthcare professionals, individual firms, retailers, and academic researchers, a virtual public meeting followed by virtual listening sessions to help inform the FDA’s next steps, prioritize potential options, and advance our food allergen threshold approaches to benefit public health.
The FDA will review input received at the public meeting, in listening sessions, and in response to a Regulations.gov docket to determine next steps.
Clues for Containment: Proactive Rodent Control Strategies Registration November 4, 2025, 2pm EST
Join Orkin Entomologist Frank Meek for a free, educational webinar and live Q&A, where you will learn how to spot the common signs of rodent activity, understand the risks they pose, and implement proactive strategies to help keep them out of your facility.
Save the date: PFAS Roundtable
The PFAS Roundtable will take place on December 2, 2025, as a virtual half-day workshop.
- Session 1: Updates for all stakeholders on recent work related to PFAS.
- Session 2: A focused discussion with selected stakeholders on Phase 1 proposed risk management to address PFAS in firefighting foams that are not currently regulated.
We look forward to your participation. Please hold the date – full details and registration information will follow at a later date through the Risk management of the class of PFAS subscription service:
https://www.canada.ca/en/environment-climate-change/services/management-toxic-substances/subscribe-risk-management-class-pfas.html
CARM webinars
Did you know? Air, Rail and Highway Carrier and Freight Forwarder Enrollment in CARM
A short-form webinar that provides an overview of the enrollment process in the CARM Client Portal for air, rail and highway mode carriers and freight forwarders. This session will explain how to apply for the carrier code by resident and non-resident carriers, how to post financial security as a carrier or a freight forwarder, as well as the process for account maintenance.
| Webinar sessions | |||||
| Language | Date | Time | Registration | ||
| English | Tuesday, October 21, 2025 | 1 pm to 2 pm ET | Register | ||
| French | Tuesday, November 4, 2025 | 11 am to 12 pm ET | Register | ||
Did you know? Registering on the CARM Client Portal
A podcast-style webinar that explains the process for setting up individual and business accounts in the CARM Client Portal, along with valuable trouble shooting tips. This sessions is for those experiencing difficulty onboarding to the CARM portal.
| Webinar sessions | ||||
| Language | Date | Time | Registration | |
| English | Wednesday, November 12, 2025 | 1 pm to 1:45 pm ET | Register | |
| English | Wednesday, November 26, 2025 | 1 pm to 1:45 pm ET | Register | |
| English | Wednesday, December 10, 2025 | 1 pm to 1:45 pm ET | Register | |
| English | Wednesday, December 17, 2025 | 1 pm to 1:45 pm ET | Register | |
| French | Wednesday, November 18, 2025 | 11 am to 11:45 am ET | Register | |
| French | Wednesday, December 3, 2025 | 1 pm to 1:45 pm ET | Register | |
Did you know? Release Prior to Payment (RPP) Program
A short-form webinar that provides an overview of delegation of authority in the CARM Client Portal and the Release Prior to Payment (RPP) Program. This session will explain how to delegate authority to employees and third-party service providers, as well as financial security requirements and how to enroll in RPP.
| Webinar sessions | |||||
| Language | Date | Time | Registration | ||
| English | Thursday, November 13, 2025 | 1 pm to 1:45 pm ET | Register | ||
| English | Thursday, November 27, 2025 | 1 pm to 1:45 pm ET | Register | ||
| English | Thursday, December 11, 2025 | 1 pm to 1:45 pm ET | Register | ||
| English | Thursday, December 18, 2025 | 1 pm to 1:45 pm ET | Register | ||
| French | Thursday, November 20, 2025 | 11 am to 11:45 am ET | Register | ||
| French | Thursday, December 4, 2025 | 1 pm to 1:45 pm ET | Register | ||
Indoor AgTech 2025 November 12 | December 3
The Indoor AgTech Broadcast Series is approaching, and you don’t want to miss it!
Across two 90-minute broadcasts, CEA experts will share their perspectives on strategies for sustainable growth, covering topics such as investment risks, scaling challenges, strategic partnerships, government policies, and paths to profitability.
In addition to high-level keynotes and partner presentations, the series will feature interactive panel discussions. As an attendee, you have the opportunity to pose questions to our expert guests at the moment of registration.
Make sure to secure your spot!
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