Advocacy
Reports on food safety testing
Protecting consumers by safeguarding Canada’s food supply is one of the Canadian Food Inspection Agency’s top priorities. The Agency conducts sampling and testing to detect food hazards and verify that industry is meeting federal food safety requirements.
Check out the latest food safety testing reports:
Federal
March 2026 issue: Workplace Hazardous Products Program newsletter – Canada.ca
This issue shares important updates, such as the publication of five new hazardous substance assessments.
CCVB Memorandum 2026-02: Permit renewals
The Canadian Centre for Veterinary Biologics (CCVB) has published Memorandum 2026-02 concerning the renewal of veterinary biologics establishment licences, product licences, and import permits.
Renewal applications will be accepted starting on May 1, 2026.
Protecting and conserving Canada’s oceans is a top priority for the Government of Canada. As keystone species, Southern Resident killer whales play a vital role in maintaining the health and balance of our marine ecosystem. As the Southern Resident killer whale population remains threatened due to physical and acoustic disturbances from vessels, prey availability and environmental pollutants, the federal government is expanding on management measures to protect these whales and to support the recovery of this endangered species.
Competition Bureau to focus on improving affordability and choice in 2026-2027 – Canada.ca
The Competition Bureau has published its 2026-2027 Annual Plan – Advancing Competition to Improve Affordability and Choice.
As Canada continues to adapt to global changes, competition is more important than ever in protecting consumers, driving affordability, and making our economy as resilient as possible.
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.
- Spidoxamat, Velancor, Plenexos Smart, Plenexos Care (RD2026-10) Decision Posted: March 31, 2026
- Nealta Miticide, containing Cyflumetofen (RD2026-09) Decision Posted: March 31, 2026
- Famoxadone (PRVD2026-02) Open consultation Posted: March 31, 2026
Provincial
Alberta safety blitz sidelines majority of trucks near Hanna – Truck News
A two-day commercial vehicle enforcement blitz northeast of Hanna, Alta., sidelined the vast majority of trucks inspected, with only three of 37 units passing inspection.
The Alberta Sheriff Highway Patrol conducted the inspections March 19-20 near Drumheller, applying the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA) North American inspection standard.
Ontario Cutting Small Business Tax by $1.1 Billion | Ontario Newsroom
The Ontario government is delivering on its plan to protect Ontario by building a more competitive, resilient and self-reliant economy with a $1.1 billion cut to the small business corporate income tax (CIT), from 3.2 per cent to 2.2 per cent, over the next three years. This tax cut, which is a 31.25 per cent cut to the existing rate, would provide more than 375,000 Ontario small businesses with up to $5,000 in tax relief every year.
Nortera to close Alberta plant – Food In CanadaFood In Canada
Nortera is restructuring its Canadian frozen facilities to improve “long-term competitiveness in a market increasingly challenged by international imports.” The company will close its Lethbridge, Alta., facility in June 2026.
Funding for Food Relief Programs | Government of Nova Scotia News Releases
The Feeding Communities Fund is providing $5.3 million – more than the $4 million forecast in December – to community organizations across the province to support local food relief initiatives.
USA
Honey production at all-time low | Food Business News
Honey production in the United States is at an all-time low. In the March 13 Honey report, the US Department of Agriculture said that US honey production in 2025 totaled 116 million lbs, down 14% from 2024 and the lowest amount the United States has ever produced in one year since records were started in 1939. That’s a concern because, unlike other sweeteners, consumer demand for honey is on the rise.
FDA pauses beetroot red and spirulina color approvals
Agency delays effective dates for color additives after GMO/Toxin Free USA and Obelisk Tech Systems challenge safety reviews and ‘no artificial colors’ labeling
Following U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s recent “60 Minutes” interview on GRAS, QA spoke with IFT Chief Science and Technology Officer Brendan Niemira about how the system works and what changes could come next.
USDA reports Listeria was top cause of outbreaks it investigated in FY 2025 | Food Safety News
The USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service has released a report on outbreaks it investigated during fiscal year 2025, showing that Listeria monocytogenes was the most frequent cause of outbreaks.
International
ECHA supports PFAS restriction with targeted derogations
Our two scientific committees support EU-wide action with appropriate derogations and controls to address the growing and long lasting risks per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) pose to people and the environment.
The opinion of the Risk Assessment Committee (RAC) and the draft opinion of the Socio-Economic Analysis Committee (SEAC) were published on 26 March 2026. A 60-day consultation on SEAC’s draft opinion began on the same day, with a deadline for comments on 25 May 2026.
The Codex Committee on Residues of Veterinary Drugs in Foods has made progress on setting maximum residue limits for veterinary drugs in food, particularly for camelid tissues. The committee has also worked on extrapolation approaches and risk management guidance, forwarding several measures to the Codex Alimentarius Commission for adoption. The Food and Agriculture Organization and World Health Organization have called for data to support evaluations of veterinary drug residues, with submissions due by July 31.
GRI – Clearing the air on pollution reporting
GRI (Global Reporting Initiative) has launched a public consultation on proposed updates to its pollution-related standards, aiming to improve transparency and consistency in corporate reporting on air, soil, and broader environmental impacts
EU Publishes Guidance for Industry on New Packaging Law | Food Safety Magazine
The European Commission has published guidelines on the implementation of the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) to facilitate the uniform application of the new packaging rules across the EU and simplify compliance.
Safety Share
Healthy Home: Chemical exposure: Are you at risk? – Canada.ca
We’re exposed to chemicals in our air, water, soil, food and products.
While they provide benefits to our economy and quality of life, they may also have harmful effects on human health or the environment if not properly managed. Are you at risk?
Events
Safety Connection: Working For Workers Act – Where Are We Now | WSPS
FREE Webinar 8-Apr-2026 10:30 am EST 1.5 hours
In this session we will review why the working for workers acts were created, and all of the OHSA and Regulation changes that have occurred though the working for workers act releases. The session will also provide guidance and tips to help Employers navigate and implement the various updates and changes.
CFIN’s latest report, Building Resilient Food Supply Chains Through Canadian Innovation, maps those vulnerabilities and profiles the Canadian companies building commercially validated solutions to address them. In this webinar, we’ll unpack the report’s findings with the operators and innovators deploying these solutions across the sector.
Validation and Compliance Tips for Testing Metal Detectors and X-ray April 8, 11:00 AM — 12:00 PM EDT
Validating your detection system ensures it performs to the required standards. You’ll learn how to confirm system capability using objective evidence, including guidance for validating conveyorized detection systems and determining the appropriate number of product passes to achieve a reliable confidence interval.
Inscriptions visiteurs | SIAL Canada
Registration for SIAL Canada 2026 is now open!
Join us from April 29 to May 1 at North America’s leading trade show dedicated to the agri-food industry
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