Advocacy
Changes to China’s requirements for registration in CIFER as of June 1, 2026
Please be advised that China will implement changes to the CIFER registration system as of June 1, 2026. For more information, consult Changes to China’s requirements for registration of food establishments in CIFER as of June 1, 2026
Federal
Interdepartmental Media Update – Hantavirus – May 10, 2026 – Canada.ca
The Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) and Global Affairs Canada (GAC), along with other Government of Canada departments and agencies, are working with domestic public health authorities and international partners, including Spain, the World Health Organization (WHO), and the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control to monitor the Andes Hantavirus outbreak on the MV Hondius and to put in place appropriate public health protocols and supports for travellers who will be or have already returned to Canada.
European Union (EU) – Export requirements for fish and seafood – inspection.canada.ca
The European Union (EU) food export requirements library webpage for fish and seafood has been updated in response to the findings of the EU’s shellfish audit on Canada’s food safety system as it relates to the production of bivalve molluscs intended for export to the EU.
The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has reported outbreaks of pseudorabies (Aujesky’s disease) in commercial swine. Details about the outbreaks are available on the USDA website. As a result, the USDA will not be issuing export certificates for raw inedible swine by-products, untreated swine blood products, and raw swine manure until further notice. Shipments that have already been certified will be permitted to enter Canada.
Canada’s new government to simplify and accelerate Canada’s regulatory process – Canada.ca
The Honourable Dominic LeBlanc, President of the King’s Privy Council for Canada and Minister responsible for Canada-U.S. Trade, Intergovernmental Affairs, Internal Trade and One Canadian Economy, and the Honourable Steven MacKinnon, Minister of Transport and Leader of the Government in the House of Commons, announced the government will engage with Indigenous Peoples, provinces and territories, and the Canadian public on potential changes that would ensure federal reviews and decision-making timelines take no longer than one-year, once all information from the project proponent has been received.
Food and Beverage Canada (FBC-ABC) recognizes that the government’s announcement to accelerate permanent residency for 33,000 workers will provide important support for some workers in smaller and rural communities. However, as currently framed, the measure has missed the mark for Canada’s food and beverage manufacturing industry.
Marking a pivotal moment of federal attention, Food Allergy Canada welcomes Senator Andrew Cardozo’s landmark new bill, introduced in the Red Chamber this week, as a major step toward a national food allergy framework that could save lives and improve the quality of life for more than 3 million affected Canadians. The organization is urging all senators to support the proposed legislation.
Animal Feed – Policy and Procedures Updates
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) is consulting on the following single ingredient feed description:
We are seeking comments on the proposed description by May 27, 2026.
Canada Packers says it is passing on higher fuel costs to its customers as oil prices have skyrocketed since the outbreak of the war in Iran.
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.
- Acynonapyr and Kodama Miticide (RD2026-12) Decision Posted: April 30, 2026
- GATTEN Fungicide, containing flutianil (PRD2026-08) Open consultation Posted: April 30, 2026
- AGRI-MEK SC, containing abamectin (PRD2026-05) Open consultation Posted: April 28, 2026
- Cold pressed orange oil and Appeal (RD2026-11) Decision Posted: April 27, 2026
Provincial
Eighty-eight billion dollars worth of proposed major project investments are estimated to create tens of thousands of jobs in B.C. communities over the next three years, demonstrating the progress the Province is making to grow B.C.’s economy through the Look West strategy.
Alberta-led platform targets inconsistent trucking regulations – Truck News
Interprovincial trade barriers continue to create inefficiencies for Canada’s trucking industry, with inconsistent regulations on weights, dimensions, and permitting limiting how freight moves across the country.
A newly launched Canadian trucking regulations hub, led by Alberta, is being positioned as a key step toward addressing those challenges.
Ontario Government Proposes Changes to Employment and Labour Legislation
On April 20, 2026, the Ontario government introduced Bill 105, Protecting Ontario’s Workers and Economic Resilience Act, 2026, which, if passed, will amend various employment and labour legislation including the Employment Standards Act, Occupational Health and Safety Act, Labour Relations Act and Workplace Safety and Insurance Act. The attached briefing note contains a summary of key proposed amendments. We will keep readers appraised as Bill 105 makes its way through the legislative process. Read More
Ontario Investing More Than $5 Million to Unlock New Markets for Biofuel | Ontario Newsroom
Investment will protect forest sector workers and businesses by creating new opportunities for made-in-Ontario forest products in emerging markets
USA
FDA Launches One-Day Inspectional Assessments to Strengthen and Expand Oversight | FDA
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration today announced that it is piloting one-day inspectional assessments, as part of a broader initiative to make its inspectional resources more targeted and efficient. As part of this pilot, which launched in April, the agency is conducting shorter, focused screening assessments to complement standard FDA inspections.
USDA Requires SNAP Authorized Retailers to Carry More Real Food | Food and Nutrition Service
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) published the final rule regarding stocking standards for retailers participating in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), ensuring a broader variety of nutritious food is available to SNAP participants at authorized retailers across the country.
USDA Implements President Trump’s Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act | Food and Nutrition Service
U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke L. Rollins today announced the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has issued a final rule implementing the Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act, restoring whole and reduced-fat (2%) milk options in federal child nutrition programs for children and adults ages 2 and older.
Auburn University researchers are investigating methods to predict meat spoilage based on microbial activity, which would enable producers to affix more accurate “best by” or “sell by” dates, thereby reducing food waste.
USDA-FSIS Publishes Revised Food Safety Guideline for Egg Products | Food Safety Magazine
Updated to address stakeholder questions and to include additional scientific information, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (USDA-FSIS) has published a revised version of its Food Safety Guideline for Egg Products.
International
Hantavirus WHO factsheet
Hantaviruses are zoonotic viruses that naturally infect rodents and are occasionally transmitted to humans. Infection in people can result in severe illness and often death, although the diseases vary by type of virus and geographical location.
Together with partner agencies, we have been nominated for the European Ombudsman Award for Good Administration in the Excellence in Open Administration category. The nomination recognises the joint Instagram channel @OneHealth_EU (project #21), run by EFSA, EEA, ECHA, EMA, ECDC and the Commission’s DG for Health and Food Safety.
The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) recently published an assessment of Europeans’ acute exposure to glycerol (additive E 422) in slush-ice drinks (slushies) and dealcoholized wine, finding that both children and adults would exceed the acute reference dose (ARfD) for glycerol by consuming a single serving of either beverage type. Based on these findings, EFSA recommends that the European Commission consider establishing numerical maximum levels for glycerol in beverages.
Safety Share
CCOHS: Orientation for New Workers
Orientation for New Workers – $20 pocket guide
Filled with safety tips, charts, diagrams, checklists and illustrations.
CCOHS: Orientation on Health and Safety for New Workers
Orientation on Health and Safety for New Workers – $49 online course
Learn about hazards and how workers can protect themselves and their co-workers. Topics include:
• recognizing workplace hazards
• working safely (general approaches and specific hazards)
• health and safety laws, programs and committees
Events
Agenda – Food Safety Summit | Food Safety Magazine May 11–14 2026 | Rosemont, IL | Donald E. Stephens Convention Center
The Food Safety Summit is just weeks away—and this is one of your last opportunities to join the industry’s most trusted food safety community in person.
Non-Ultraprocessed Foods (Non-UPF) Verification for Food Manufacturers and Brands May 12, 10:00 AM — 11:00 AM EDT
During this one-hour session, you’ll gain practical insights into how Non-UPF verification helps manufacturers and brands support clean-label claims, improve transparency, and respond to growing consumer demand for less processed foods.
BRCGS Non-Conformances: Food Safety Trends You Can’t Ignore May 28, 9:00 AM — 10:00 AM EDT
Join BRCGS and NSF for an insightful webinar exploring the latest non-conformity trends from Global Standard Food Safety Issue 9 audits.
Using audit data and key learnings, our expert speakers will discuss the most common non-conformities, their causes, and consider the areas business can focus on to avoid these common pitfalls moving forward.
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