Canada to Amend Food Safety Laws for Affordability

OTTAWA - The Canadian government plans to amend key food safety laws to incorporate food security and affordability considerations, a move outlined in its spring economic update that has sparked concerns among advocates and unions about potential risks to public health protections.

The proposed changes target the Canadian Food Inspection Agency Act and the Pest Control Products Act, aiming to factor in the cost of food alongside existing mandates. A Department of Finance official emphasized the government's ongoing commitment to safeguarding the environment and protecting Canadians' health and safety. Further details and legislative timing remain forthcoming.

Mary Lou McDonald, president of the nonprofit Safe Food Matters, criticized the amendments as a shift toward prioritizing trade interests. "When the government says 'consideration of food security,' what it means is it wants to prioritize trade over the health of Canadians," she said in an email. McDonald warned the changes could permit higher glyphosate residue levels in imported foods from the United States, which she said Canadians have rejected. She advocated instead for boosting production of high-quality,...