Minister of Health Statement
Statement from the Honourable Rona Ambrose Minister of Health – World Health Day 2015 – Food Safety Theme
The Government of Canada would like to recognize the World Health Organization’s World Health Day and this year’s important theme – Food Safety ‘from farm to plate, keep food safe’.
Food safety is important to all of us. Our Government remains committed to helping ensure the health and safety of Canadian families. As Canada’s Health Minister, I want to take a moment to acknowledge and thank all those who work hard to protect the food we produce and eat.
Canada is proud to have a world-class food safety system, ranking number one in the world, along with Ireland, in a 2014 Conference Board of Canada report that compared 17 Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) countries.
But, as our food supply becomes increasingly globalized, the need to strengthen food safety systems in and between all countries is becoming more and more evident.
The World Health Organization reports that unsafe food is linked to the deaths of an estimated two million people annually around the world – including many children. Food containing harmful bacteria, viruses, parasites or chemical substances is also responsible for causing more than 200 diseases.
We are always taking action to further strengthen our food safety system through continual improvement based on sound science, global trends, surveillance and best practices.
For example, earlier today, our Government announced $30.7 million in funding for the establishment of the Food Safety Information Network (FSIN). Canada’s food safety experts, whether federal, provincial or territorial, will be better connected, working together and sharing intelligence to keep our food safe.
Food safety continues to be a top priority for our government. We will continue to take steps to help ensure the health and safety of Canadian families.
Consumers also have a role to play in keeping their food safe. Consumers can help protect themselves and their families by following safe food handling practices at home and staying informed about food recalls and allergy alerts. We can all take small steps to make our plates safer.
By working together, we can ensure the food we eat is safe for ourselves and our families.
The Honourable Rona Ambrose
Minister of Health