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Communication and Participation in the Canandian Context

COUNTRY PAPER PROPOSED BY CANADA

Year of publication 2001

Author Nutrition Division

Product type Meeting

Edition 1

Synopsis (short abstract) Government, food regulatory agencies and industry stakeholders have a fundamental responsibility to communicate best practices for enhanced food safety as well as potential food safety risks. Clear, concise and timely communication on food safety issues is an essential element of Canada's integrated approach to food safety. The communication objective is to provide individuals and organizations with appropriate information that contributes to improved food safety practices at all levels of the f ood continuum (i.e.: inputs, production, processing and consumption). Canada has made significant investments in communications to inform, educate and advise consumers and other stakeholders. In addition to more traditional communication tools, increasing use of the Internet by Canadians is providing a new, practical and economic mechanism for governments to reach consumers and other stakeholders. Working with stakeholders, innovative programs such as the Canadian Fight BAC!TM Campaign are making important contributions to enhancing food safety and minimizing the occurrence of foodborne illness resulting from improper food handling and preparation by the consumer. Implementation of an integrated approach to enhance food safety has resulted in important lessons learned with respect to: food safety communication as an ongoing regulatory responsibility; the need to identify clear communication objectives and to consult with stakeholders as part of ensuring the timely availabilit y of appropriate food safety messages to the right audiences.

Meeting symbol GF CRD Canada-5

Language English

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