The Big Story Is our food supply safe? Breaking down our country's latest recalls.
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Dec 3, 2024 Keith Warrnier, a food safety expert from the University of Guelph and former president of the Ontario Food Protection Association, dives into the pressing issue of food safety in Canada. He addresses alarming recent recalls, including cucumbers linked to salmonella, and discusses the challenges faced by the food inspection system. Warrnier emphasizes the need for better detection methods and highlights the complex dynamics between government and companies during recalls. Listeners gain insights into the evolving landscape of food safety and reassurances about Canada’s food supply.
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Increased Food Recalls and Outbreaks
- Food recalls seem more frequent, and outbreaks with illnesses and deaths have increased.
- Improved outbreak detection explains part of this, but food safety systems have also failed.
Common Foodborne Illnesses and Sources
- Common foodborne illnesses include norovirus, salmonella, campylobacter, listeria, and E. coli.
- Poultry is a key source for several, while others originate in processing plants or the environment.
Food Inspection Challenges
- The CFIA employs a risk-based inspection system due to limited inspectors.
- Third-party auditors are increasingly used, but potential conflicts of interest arise as processors pay them.