Legal Blog

Prime Minister announces Canada's new Food and Consumer Safety Action Plan

Tuesday, December 18, 2007

Prime Minister, Stephen Harper announced new legislation yesterday with proposed measures imposing tougher federal government regulation of food, health and consumer products.

It is comforting to know that the Canadian government has finally stepped up and not only acknowledged but is doing something about the growing concern surrounding food safety and consumer products.

As noted previously on our legal blog, 2007 can be dubbed the year of the recall. Numerous toys and food products were recalled by Health Canada and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency.

The Prime Minister announced the new measures just in time for the Holiday season and stated, "Canadians rightly expect their federal government to police the safety of the products they bring into their homes."

It is about time that corporations that manufacture and produce products for the Canadian public be held to high standards of safety and compliance.

The new legislation will allow for:

Mandatory product recalls when companies fail to act on legitimate safety concerns.

Making importers responsible for the safety of goods they bring into Canada.

Increasing maximum fines under the Food and Drug Act from $5,000 up to current international standards.

Better safety information for consumers and guidance to industries on building safety throughout their supply chains.

The new measures are a message for all companies who conduct business in Canada that they better shape up. People who purchase products regardless of the cost should be confident the product meets Canadian standards.

The Canadian government should be lauded for the new measures.

To read more about the new measures click here

If you would like more information on whether or not you have a case against a potential manufacturer or producer contact the law firm of Neinstein & Associates for a free quote.