Canadian Food Inspection Agency

Created in 1997 by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency Act, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) delivers inspection and quarantine programs related to foods, plants and animals in 18 regions and 160 field offices across Canada. Its mandate is to safeguard Canada’s food supply and the plants and animals upon which safe and high-quality food depends.

The CFIA enforces policies and standards, set by Health Canada, governing the safety and nutritional quality of all food sold in Canada. It also verifies industry compliance with federal acts and regulations through activities that include the registration and inspection of abattoirs and food processing plants, and the testing of products. In carrying out its mandate the CFIA strives to:

• protect Canadians from preventable health risks
• protect consumers through a fair and effective food, animal and plant regulatory regime that supports competitive domestic and international markets
• sustain the plant and animal resource base
• contribute to the security of Canada's food supply and agricultural resource base, and
• provide sound agency management

For more about how to make a complaint to the agency, see Complaints, Comments & Compliments. Also see the Consumer Centre for safety information.