Letter to Honorable Allan Rock: We have watched with growing alarm the negative publicity regarding the federal government’s food safety regime.
We are extremely concerned that this publicity will cause the public to question the adequacy of the regulatory system and the safety of the foods we produce and market.
In our view, there is no justification for such negative views. News media reports are rife with references to mad cow disease and dioxin scares. These problems did not occur in Canada and the fact they did not occur here is a testament to the reality that we have one of the most stringent food safety systems in the world.
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The excellent quality of our food supply is due in large part to the diligence of the thousands of public servants who dedicate their careers to the smooth functioning of the system on a daily basis.
The truth about the excellent track record of our food safety system is not getting out and it is urgent that it does, systematically, forcefully and repeatedly.
Consumers deserve to know the truth about the system underpinning the safety of the foods they eat. They do not deserve to be frightened by half-truths and sensationalism.
Our question is, where have government spokespersons been in recent months as our regulatory regime and the safety of foods have been systematically called into question?
The products that your department has approved and that we in the food industry produce and that consumers purchase are safe. We very strongly urge you to get that message out to the public immediately and repeatedly until it is understood.
– George Fleischmann,
President and CEO,
Food and Consumer Products Manufacturers of Canada,
Toronto, Ont.,
– Nick Jennery,
President,
Canadian Council of Grocery Distributors,
Montreal, Que.,
– John Scott,
President,
Canadian Federation of
Independent Grocers,
Toronto, Ont.,
– Sally Rutherford,
Executive Director,
Canadian Federation
of Agriculture,
Task Force on Food
Biotechnology,
Ottawa, Ont.
