There are some rustlings about the FDA ending routine food inspections in the US. They have already fired anyone associated to food inspection as far as I can gather and rumors are they will contract out inspection to private entities.
This affects Canadian consumers. Vegetables grown in the US under these rules are sold in Canada to Canadian consumers. As an example, where we live we cannot buy lettuce, greens or bagged salads that are not from the US. Most imported vegetables are not tested in Canda as they are tested within in the US system first then exported. That means the only regulatory controls on many fresh vegetables and fruits will be grading and packaging standards. This is just being implemented by the US regime and Canadians need to know about it.
One can only assume this will apply to ALL IMPORTED AMERICAN FOODS not just fruits and vegetables, but packaged goods and other fresh food products.
Until this is changed by the government in the ever moving world of trade relations and tariffs Canadian supermarkets will still be supplied with these untested food products.
Yup, we need to buy locally if we can. Another reason to pay attention to what you’re buying at the grocery store.
We also need to start growing tropical fruits. 😂😭
I grow figs in North Eastern Nova Scotia. No mangos though. Booooo
So you have any source for there not being import quality controls?
This is why the EU doesn’t import American food,
I am a disabled small farmer and know much of this from our farming activity. I also searched the government of Canada website to ensure I was correct, for the rules around importing fresh vegetables. I’ll see if I can find the link again for you when I get home.
Here is a page with the non Canadian bodies in charge of testing prior to importation per vegetable or fruit. We test imports in Canada for pesticide residues and sulfites but there are also ministerial exemptions as well. That means some foods that don’t even meet Canadian standards can be imported and sold here with permission of the canadian government.
You can also find links from here to all the answers you are looking for regarding imported fresh vegetables and I believe any other imported food products though I didn’t do a deep dive. They are mostly categorized by product and don’t just include import details for 'murica but all the countries Canada imports from.
I was specifically looking for details about lettuce and leafy greens in my search.
I’m by no means defending this move (it’s dumb and bad, just like…everything else the US government does these days), but they seem to be delegating the inspections to individual states.
I assume at least some states will maintain good standards, and Canada will have to pay close attention to which states those are.
Even if they just delegate, a moment later they’ll turn around and threaten California funding unless regulation is relaxed.
I believe after having read a bit about this that they are delegating inspections to contractors according to most reports. But it is not finalized yet so it’s all just speculation.
EDIT: They did fire all those responsible for government inspections however. That has already taken place. So if there is no one to do the inspections one can only assume…
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Good thing an American product hasn’t entered my home in months. More reason to increase vigilance as well. Thanks for sharing.
