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Food safety opinions high in Canada

Jul. 16, 2012, Ottawa, ON - Canadians are confident in Canada's food safety system, according to results from a recent study commissioned by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA). Ninety-three per cent of Canadians surveyed expressed a degree of confidence in Canada's food safety system. In fact, 68 per cent gave the system a favourable to strong confidence rating, remaining steady from last year. That is up from 60 per cent in 2008.

Results also indicate that Canadians hold a favourable opinion of the work done by the CFIA.

"Canadians trust this government to protect the safety of Canada's food supply and rightly so," said Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz. "We have experienced, highly-trained personnel at the front lines verifying that industry is following the rules and making safe food."

Economic Action Plan 2012 reaffirmed the Harper Government's strong commitment to food safety by committing $51.2 million over two years to strengthen the food safety system. Furthermore, the new Safe Food for Canadians Act, tabled in June, will simplify, modernize and strengthen food legislation to better protect Canadian families.

The study also found that a growing number of Canadians are recognizing that food recalls are an indication that the food safety system is working. Furthermore, Canadians acknowledge that everyone has a role to play in food safety, including farmers, industry, government, consumers, grocery stores and provincial governments.

Results from the study also show that Canadians have an increased appetite for more information on food safety, particularly food recalls. Consumers are encouraged to sign-up to receive email or twitter notifications of food recall and allergy alerts at www.inspection.gc.ca. In addition, smartphone users can download the Recalls and Safety Alerts Mobile Application. Details on how to download this app can be found at www.healthycanadians.gc.ca.

The final study Food Safety: Canadians' Awareness, Attitudes and Behaviours (POR 029-11) can be found on the Library and Archives Canada's website at:
http://epe.lac-bac.gc.ca/100/200/301/pwgsc-tpsgc/por-ef/canadian_food_inspection_agency/2012/029-11/report.pdf.

The results from this study will be used to help the CFIA maximize the effectiveness of its communications and better meet the information needs of consumers.

July 16, 2012  By Marketwire


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