Safe and Nutritious Food

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Safe food and good nutrition are important to Canadians. Health Canada is responsible for the regulation and safety of health products and food in Canada. As a trusted source of information and advice about food, nutrition, and health, Health Canada helps Canadians make good dietary choices.

Food safety in Canada

Since food safety issues may arise anywhere along the food chain, management of food safety in Canada is a shared responsibility with all levels of government as well as individual consumers, consumer groups, farmers, producers, processors, importers, exporters, and retailers. Health Canada is part of a national food safety system that involves Agriculture and Agri- Food Canada, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA), the provinces and territories and all Canadian municipalities.

The Health Products and Food Branch (HPFB) of Health Canada is responsible for establishing policies, setting standards, and providing guidance and information on the safety and nutritional value of food. HPFB also administers the provisions of the Food and Drugs Act that relate to public health, safety, and nutrition. The CFIA provides all federal inspection services related to food safety, and enforces the food safety and nutritional quality standards established by Health Canada. HPFB is responsible for assessing the effectiveness of the CFIA's activities related to food safety.

The Food Directorate

Within HPFB, the Food Directorate is responsible for the delivery of food safety and nutrition programs. It works with other areas of Health Canada - such as the Veterinary Drugs Directorate and the Pest Management Regulatory Agency - on issues related to veterinary drug and pesticide residues in food. The Food Directorate and the Office of Nutritional Policy and Promotion share responsibility for nutritional issues.

With a network of modern laboratories across the country, the Food Directorate works in close cooperation with officials from other levels of government. Key activities include:

• conducting scientific research, as well as health risk and benefit assessments;
• developing policies, standards, and guidelines;
• evaluating submissions from the food industry; and
• providing information to support Canadians in their decisions about food and diet.

The directorate also studies:

• chemical and microbiological contaminants of foods;
• food additives, processes, and packaging materials;
• novel foods (including genetically modified foods);
• nutritional quality and adequacy of foods; and
• food consumption and nutrient intake.

The safety and integrity of Canada's food supply depends on a cooperative network of public and private sector organizations. HPFB is at the centre of this network, and sets science-based food policy for Canada, giving Canadians access to the information they need to make informed decisions about their food, nutrition, and health.

Health Canada
Health Products and Food Branch
250 Lanark Avenue
Graham Spry Building
Address Locator: 2005A
Ottawa ON K1A 0K9
Telephone: 613-957-1806
Facsimile: 613-954-3957
Email: hpfb-dgpsa@hc-sc.gc.ca
Web site: www.healthcanada.gc.ca/hpfb

The Food Directorate
Building 7, Tunney's Pasture
Address Locator: 0701A5
Ottawa, ON K1A 0L2
Telephone: 613-957-1821
Facsimile: 613-957-1784
E-mail: food-aliment@hc-sc.gc.ca
Web site: www.healthcanada.gc.ca/food