Assessment Report of the Canadian Food Inspection Agency Activities Related to the Safety of Imported Fresh Fruits and Vegetables

Observations and Recommendations (cont'd)
Trace-back Investigations in Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Food-borne Disease Outbreaks

Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program and the Consumer Food Products Program

81 The ability of both the Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program and the Consumer Food Products Program to trace-back products - including imported produce - to the source of production can be a key element of public health protection. Adequate procedures, documentation and expertise are required to conduct trace-backs quickly. We assessed whether the Agency provides written procedures and training for trace-back investigations. Since the creation of the Agency, a number of imported fresh fruits and vegetables have been epidemiologically linked to Canadian and international outbreaks of illness. We reviewed five food-borne disease outbreaks associated with imported fresh fruits and vegetables, and analysed the Agency's response.

82 We found that the officials of both the Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program and the Consumer Food Products Program were key members of the investigative team, and that they participated in trace-back investigations and took the lead role in communicating with importers, other regulatory agencies, and embassies. They acted as the liaison for import information on the implicated products, and they initiated import controls such as Border Lookouts. Follow-up actions included: requesting for health risk assessments; holding post mortems; assessing foreign countries; implementing new import policies or controls; and implementing new or redesigned programs or strategies.

83 In November 1997, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration advised Guatemalan officials that they would not allow the importation of raspberries from Guatemala during the 1998 spring shipping season. On 16 March 1998, officials of the Canadian Food Inspection Agency and Health Canada met with officials of the Guatemalan Embassy and with Guatemalan technical experts to obtain specific information on the measures being taken to minimize the microbial risks associated with Cyclospora in raspberries. Agency and Health Canada officials visited Guatemala between 30 March and 7 April 1998 to evaluate the Guatemalan inspection system and to assess the potential microbial risks. At the time of the visit, the Guatemalan inspection system classified raspberry farms in three risk categories (low, medium and high), reflecting the degree of preventative measures taken on the farm. At that time, Canadian authorities allowed the importation of fresh Guatemalan raspberries produced from low-risk farms. In May 1998, Guatemalan officials introduced a new category (the Model Plan of Excellence) with a more stringent degree of preventative measure and a system to trace back products to the source of production. By the time that Canadian officials finalized their import position, several outbreaks of Cyclosporiasis had occurred in Ontario. We found that Canadian Food Inspection Agency and Health Canada officials are working to establish timely Canadian policies for the seasonal importation of Guatemalan raspberries. The policies include measures to verify that their recommendations are being implemented by Guatemalan growers, shippers and regulatory agencies.

84 We found that a trace-back investigation was conducted in each food safety situation that required one. The United States Centre for Disease Control provided expertise and guidance to Canadian investigators, along with specific forms. The Agency has prepared a draft trace-back manual. Operational area staff had concerns regarding who within the Agency should conduct trace-back investigations, the roles and responsibilities of other regulatory agencies, the level of detailed work required, and the availability of training in food safety. The Agency informed us that training for trace-back investigations is planned after the trace-back manual is completed.