Newsletter – August 25 2025

Advocacy

Share your thoughts: Proposed changes to the Common Names for Ingredients and Components document for milk ingredients and modified milk ingredients – inspection.canada.ca
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency is consulting on proposed changes to the Common Names for Ingredients and Components document that is incorporated by reference in the Food and Drug Regulations.

Federal

New restrictions due to HPAI in Argentina
Please be advised that new outbreaks of highly pathogenic avian influenza have been identified in Argentina. Poultry, birds (including pet birds) and certain poultry products originating from Argentina are not permitted for import into Canada.
Shipments of affected commodities originating from birds originating from Argentina must be accompanied by certification that they were collected or slaughtered prior to August 19, 2025, or else the signature date of the certificate must be prior to August 19, 2025.

Stardust: Asteroid Bennu reveals particles older than the solar system – Canada.ca
Canadian researchers, members of NASA’s OSIRIS-REx international science team, have contributed to new studies related to the sample collected from asteroid Bennu.
Three scientific articles published today in Nature Astronomy and Nature Geoscience reveal that Bennu contains:

• Stardust grains older than our solar system
• Interstellar organic matter (likely formed beyond our solar system)
• High-temperature minerals that formed closer to the Sun

Statement by Minister MacDonald following meeting with representatives from the Government of Saskatchewan and canola industry leaders – Canada.ca
The Honourable Heath MacDonald, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food issued the following statement after meeting with representatives from the Government of Saskatchewan and leaders from the Canadian canola sector:
“Today, along with my colleagues the Honourable Buckley Belanger, Secretary of State (Rural Development), and the Honourable Kody Blois, Parliamentary Secretary to the Prime Minister, I had the opportunity to meet with Premier Scott Moe, Agriculture Minister Daryl Harrison, Trade and Export Development Minister Warren Kaeding and key canola industry stakeholders and exporters to discuss the challenges faced by the canola sector, including the recent preliminary anti-dumping duty imposed by China on imports of canola seed from Canada.

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.

• Triallate (PMRL2025-18)  Open Consultation Posted: August 19, 2025
• Picarbutrazox (PMRL2025-17)  Open Consultation Posted: August 19, 2025
• Inpyrfluxam (PMRL2025-16)  Open Consultation Posted: August 19, 2025
• Metamitron (PMRL2025-15)  Open Consultation Posted: August 18, 2025

Provincial

WorkSafeNB | Protect employees from heat and poor air quality
As we face high temperatures and the impact of wildfire smoke, employers and supervisors must take steps to protect workers. Heat stress and poor air quality can have serious health effects, especially for those working outdoors or in hot indoor environments. Adjust work schedules, provide regular breaks in cool or clean air spaces, and ensure your team has access to water and protective equipment.

Commercial vehicle blitz leads to multiple charges, trucks removed from road
A commercial vehicle inspection blitz held over seven hours in Caledon on Thursday resulted in dozens of charges and several trucks taken out of service.
Officers with Caledon OPP teamed up with Halton Regional Police, the Ministry of Transportation, and the Town of Caledon for the one-day enforcement initiative on Highway 109 near Highway 10.
During the safety blitz, officers inspected 39 commercial motor vehicles (CMVs), issuing 28 charges, and pulling 10 trucks and one driver off the road.

Canada, B.C. help food, beverage producers reach new markets – Canada.ca
Food and beverage producers and processors in British Columbia are getting help to increase sales and build export markets so the province has a more resilient and diverse economy in the future.
The B.C. Agriculture and Food Export Program supports eligible B.C. food and beverage businesses and associations and increases international opportunities for B.C.’s agriculture and food industry, with funding through the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership (Sustainable CAP).

USA

Visual Post-Mortem Inspection in Swine Slaughter Establishments | Food Safety and Inspection Service
On August 19, 2025, FSIS announced a proposed rule to amend post-mortem inspection requirements in swine slaughter establishments. The proposed rule would remove mandatory mandibular lymph node incision and viscera palpation requirements in both traditional and NSIS establishments. These steps are not needed to ensure food safety and may increase cross-contamination risk.

FDA Update on Post-market Assessment of Chemicals in the Food Supply | FDA
Today, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) updated its list of select chemicals currently under the agency’s review to provide more insight on the status of the FDA’s post-market assessments of chemicals in the food supply. The agency first published a list in July 2023 and updated it in March 2024. FDA will continue to update the list periodically.
This updated list includes select food ingredients (including food additives and color additives), food contact substances, and contaminants under FDA review. The list now includes the date the FDA’s review was initiated, the date of the most recent risk management action, and links for the public to provide input (where applicable).

Be sure to add food safety to back-to-school preparations | Food Safety News
Back-to-school shopping usually means backpacks, notebooks and lunchboxes. But don’t forget to add food safety to the list.
Young children, especially those under age five, are more likely to get seriously sick from foodborne illness. The U.S. Department of Agriculture is reminding parents, caregivers, and anyone packing school lunches to follow a few simple food safety steps.

FDA issues warning about shrimp sold at Walmart because of radioactive concerns | Food Safety News
The FDA has issued a warning about shrimp imported from Indonesia and sold at some Walmart stores because it could by contaminated with radiation.
The Food and Drug Administration is actively investigating reports of Cesium-137 (Cs-137) contamination in shipping containers and frozen shrimp products processed by PT. Bahari Makmur Sejati, doing business as BMS Foods, of Indonesia.

Feature-Spotlight | August/September 2025 | Food Safety Magazine
Listeria Control: Moving Beyond Best Practices to Implementation
While the industry has well-established best practices for Listeria prevention, the real issue lies in execution. Failing to properly assess and mitigate Listeria risks can have serious consequences. The lesson is not that best practices are ineffective—it is that best practices must actually be put into practice consistently and rigorously.

International

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) – ECHA
ECHA has published the updated proposal to restrict per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) under the EU’s chemicals regulation, REACH.
 
Commodity crisis: Most and least resilient food crops
As the commodity crisis takes hold, which crops are at the most risk from climate pressures?

Safety Share

Carbon monoxide: Overview – Canada.ca
Never run a generator or portable fuel-burning appliance (like a barbecue or camp stove) in your home or garage.

Events
 
Save the Date – FDA Virtual Public Meeting on Food Allergen Thresholds and Their Potential Applications
Dates:
• Virtual Presentations and Panel Discussions – November 18, 2025
• Virtual Listening Sessions – November 19-20, 2025
Event Overview:
The FDA will host a three-day, virtual public meeting from November 18-20, 2025, to discuss food allergen thresholds and their potential applications.
Additional meeting details and registration information will be provided in September 2025.

CARM: Did you Know?  Release Prior to Payment (RPP) Program

This short-form information session provides an overview of delegation of authority in the CARM Client Portal and the Release Prior to Payment (RPP) Program.  We will go over how to delegate authority to employees and third-party service providers, as well as financial security requirements and how to enroll in RPP.

Registration is required for this webinar. If you would like to listen to a recording of this webinar, it can be found on the CARM Google Drive.


CARM: Did you Know?  Registering on the CARM Client Portal

This podcast-style webinar offers a step-by-step overview of the process for setting up individual and business accounts in the CARM Client Portal, along with valuable trouble shooting tips. For anyone having difficulty onboarding to the CARM portal, this webinar is for you.

Registration is required for this webinar. If you would like to listen to a recording of this webinar, it can be found on the CARM Google Drive.

Collaborating on Food Safety Culture  | FDA
We are excited to announce the much-anticipated return of the FDA and Alliance to Stop Foodborne Illness co-hosted Food Safety Culture Webinar Series.
We appreciate your patience during some scheduling changes and hope you will join us for the newly rescheduled events.
Webinar #1: How to Turn a Problem into an Opportunity
Wednesday, September 3, 12:00pm ET
Join us for seven interactive, hour-long webinars throughout the next year designed to deepen your knowledge and strengthen your commitment to food safety. Each session will feature industry experts who will share valuable insights, real-world tools and actionable strategies to enhance food safety culture across your organization.
Register to view the complete list of webinars and reserve your spot for the series.

Home | Mexico’s Food Retailers Landscape FREE Webinar September 23, 2025 11am EDT
Join the Government of Ontario for a free webinar to learn about the retail space in the Mexican market.  If you are interested in exploring new markets, this is an opportunity to learn about the Mexican market and the opportunities it offers to Ontario food and beverage manufacturers.