National Surveillance of Potentially Hazardous Chemicals in Foods

Health Canada and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency have developed active surveillance and monitoring programs of potentially hazardous chemicals in foods. A number of Provincial/Territorial governments, and some Municipalities, also undertake similar activities on a regular basis. In order to better use the available resources and share data among the Federal, Provincial/Territorial governments, Health Canada's Food Directorate has been exploring possible mechanisms of developing a more coordinated and systematic approach for food surveillance and monitoring programs of chemicals in foods at the national level in Canada. Two workshops were organized by Health Canada's Food Directorate since 2003, and recommendations are being developed by Federal/Provincial/Territorial government representatives as well as other experts in the field of food surveillance for chemicals. Developments based on these recommendations will be reported later as this initiative progresses. For more information, please contact:

Bureau of Chemical Safety
Food Directorate
Health Products and Food Branch
Health Canada
Banting Building, AL: 2203D
Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0L2
Phone: (613) 957-0944
Fax: (613) 941-4775
Email: bcs-bipc@hc-sc.gc.ca

• Report on 2003 Workshop
• Report on 2004 Workshop