The Decibel Why cuts to a U.S. inspection agency matter for Canadian food
Jun 27, 2025
Kate Helmore, an agriculture and food policy reporter for The Globe, discusses the implications of recent cuts at the U.S. FDA for Canadian food safety. She reveals how intertwined the U.S. and Canadian food systems are, highlighting concerns over increased reliance on American imports. Helmore explains the challenges faced by Canada’s food safety protocols in response to U.S. budget cuts and inspections. The conversation also touches on skepticism about U.S. food safety standards and the importance of investing in Canadian food sovereignty.
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U.S.-Canada Food System Interconnection
- Canadian and American food systems are deeply intertwined, with products frequently crossing the border multiple times during processing.
- Geographic proximity matters more than borders for food logistics and supply in North America.
Minimal Inspection on Food Imports
- Canada inspects about 1% of imported food through visual checks and 0.1% through further lab testing due to the trade volume.
- Full inspection of all imports would cause severe trade delays and logistical issues at the border.
FDA's Role in U.S. Food Safety
- The FDA handles about 80% of food safety in the U.S., covering most products except meat, poultry, eggs, and catfish which the USDA inspects.
- This division makes FDA's function critical to food safety for U.S. exports to Canada.