Advocacy –
Remember to do a mock recall for 2024!
For everyone out there with a SFC license, don’t forget that you must do a mock recall at least
once per year. If you have not already done so, be sure to get yours done before the end of
December!
FDA Facility Registration Renewal
If you operate a facility that manufactures, processes, packs, or holds food for U.S.
consumption, you must renew your FDA registration by December 31, 2024. This requirement
applies to all facilities exporting to the U.S.
Federal
Canada and United States Co-Invest to Unlock Critical Minerals Development in Yukon –
Canada.ca
The development of secure, sustainable North American supply chains requires close
collaboration among like-minded partners. That is why Canada and the United States are
strategically co-investing in important critical minerals projects in Canada and working to
strengthen our supply chains. We are accelerating projects that will develop the critical minerals
essential for continental and economic security, as well as for our clean energy future.
Labour shortages and inflation among top challenges for F&B sector – Food In CanadaFood In
Canada
A survey by Food and Beverage Canada (FBC) and Farm Credit Canada (FCC) reveals the
challenges faced by the food and beverage manufacturing industry.
Conducted between June and Sept. 2024, the survey gathered insights from businesses across
the country, identifying labour shortages, rising costs, technological barriers, and regulatory
complexity as the most pressing issues.
Reforming and Enhancing the Scientific Research and Experimental Development (SR&ED) Tax
Incentive Program – Canada.ca
The Scientific Research and Experimental Development (SR&ED) tax incentives are a proven
cornerstone of Canada’s innovation strategy, already supporting over 22,000 businesses,
That is why the federal government is boosting support for scientific research and experimental
development to help more small- and medium-sized Canadian businesses invest in research
and development (R&D).
What you need to know about Canada’s 2035 emissions reduction target – Canada.ca
While the window to minimize the worst impacts of climate change is rapidly closing, we still
have a chance to protect our planet and our economy for current and future generations. The
science is clear, the stakes are high, and the time to act is now.
As part of this effort, Canada has established its 2035 greenhouse gas emissions reduction
target of 45–50% below 2005 levels. This milestone reinforces Canada’s commitment to tackling
the global climate crisis and will shape our next decade of climate action, aligning environmental
progress with economic growth.
Provincial
Canada Supports Alberta’s Clean Energy Sector and Its Workers – Canada.ca
On December 13, 2024, Member of Parliament George Chahal announced investments totalling
over $152 million for nine clean electricity projects in Alberta through the Smart Renewables
and Electrification Pathways Program (SREPs).
Three recipients of the Quebec Fisheries Fund receive nearly $3 million to help workers and
drive innovation in Quebec's fishing industry – Canada.ca
Quebec’s fish and seafood industry needs to adapt to an ever-changing market. Working
together through the Quebec Fisheries Fund (QFF), the Government of Canada and the
Government of Quebec are helping the industry to innovate and encourage the use of new
technologies and processes to support the sustainable development of the sector.
Ontario Expands Largest Competitive Energy Procurement in Province’s History | Ontario
Newsroom
The Ontario government is expanding the largest competitive energy procurement in the
province’s history by 50 per cent to meet soaring energy demand.
USA
FDA safety evaluation of Red Dye 3 ‘forthcoming'
Post-market assessment of chemicals in food is a ‘huge priority’ for FDA’s recently created
Human Foods Program, top agency officials told skeptical senators this week.
VQIP Application Portal Opens for FY2026 | FDA
On January 1, 2025, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) will open the Voluntary
Qualified Importer Program (VQIP) application portal for fiscal year (FY) 2026.
VQIP is a voluntary fee-based program that provides importers, who achieve and maintain
control over the safety and security of their supply chains, the benefits of expedited review and
importation of human and animal foods into the United States.
NIH research reveals new insights about how 'bad' cholesterol works in the body | National
Institutes of Health (NIH)
National Institute of Health (NIH) scientists have made a significant breakthrough in
understanding how "bad" cholesterol, known as low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol or LDL-C,
builds up in the body. The researchers were able to show for the first time how the main
structural protein of LDL binds to its receptor – a process that starts the clearing of LDL from the
blood – and what happens when that process gets impaired
The findings, published in Nature, further the understanding of how LDL contributes to heart
disease, the world’s leading cause of death, and could open the door to personalizing LDL-
lowering treatments like statins to make them even more effective.
FDA Issues Letter to Retailers and Distributors Concerning Lead in Certain Imported Cookware
| FDA
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a letter to retailers and distributors of
cookware products to inform them that certain imported cookware products made from
aluminum, brass, and aluminum alloys known as Hindalium/Hindolium or Indalium/Indolium,
demonstrate the potential to leach lead into food and that this cookware should not be
distributed or sold in the U.S. market.
International
168 | What's Going on With Italian-Chinese Tomato Puree? | GM to the Rescue |Karen
Constable
A report published by media outlet the BBC claims that certain Italian tomato purees, available
from leading retailers in the United Kingdom and Germany, contain Chinese-grown tomatoes.
If true, some might construe this as provenance fraud and/or mislabeling, however that isn’t
necessarily the case. The BBC does not assert that either, instead focussing its report on the
Chinese tomato industry’s use of forced labour.
The EU guarantees safety and quality of ingredients
In the UK specifically, the negative impact of heavily processed food on the gut has been widely
reported. As such, in a 2024 survey, 77% of British respondents indicated that they were
concerned about ultra or over processed foods, second only to food prices (88%).² In the same
survey, more than a quarter of Brits (27%) stated they were concerned about the safety of food
imported from outside the UK.
Safety Share
10 Reasons Toys End up on Health Canada's Naughty List
At Health Canada, we give Santa a hand by testing toys in our Product Safety Laboratory.
To do this, we put toys to the test in the name of science and safety. And sometimes, a toy just
doesn’t make the grade.
Find out the top 10 reasons that toys could end up on our Naughty List.
Belkin BoostCharge Pro Fast Wireless Charger for Apple Watch + Power Bank 10K recalled
due to fire hazard (new)
Product: Belkin BoostCharge Pro Fast Wireless Charger for Apple Watch + Power Bank 10K
Issue: Fire hazard
Audience: General public
Events
Ask The Barcode Experts – Fall Webinar Series GS1 Canada
GS1 Canada is back with a new series of free education webinars for small business owners.
Whether you are new to barcodes or a long-time subscriber, we'll help you meet trading
partners' requirements with our trusted tools and support.
Registration | Register for Natural Food Trends in the US – January 30, 2025 2:00pm EST
Join the Government of Ontario in collaboration with the Canada Organic Trade Association (COTA)
for a free webinar to explore trends and opportunities in the natural food and beverage industry in
the US, upcoming industry events, as well as services and member benefits offered by COTA.