Grape phylloxera has been detected in Vancouver Island vineyards. Phyollxera, also known as root louse, was detected by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency thanks to a grower submission. CFIA announced the discovery at the end of September. While there have been occasional detections in the Okanagan, Vancouver Island was previously free from the aphid-like insect. …
CFIA
China ups ante for exporters
A year after the first case of COVID-19 emerged in China, the country’s customs officials announced tough new inspection rules designed to prevent the virus from returning via food shipments. On November 18, 2020, the General Administration of Customs China (GACC) requested that Canada and other trading partners revise export certificates for frozen and chilled …
Japanese beetle fight continues
Summertime, and pest control workers are doing their best to make sure the living ain’t easy for Japanese beetle. Regular surveillance by Canadian Food Inspection Agency staff discovered the invasive pest in the False Creek area in 2017, and increased surveillance in 2018 saw 2,088 traps placed. By the end of the season last year, …
What’s a ‘Product of Canada’?
Should foods made with 15% imported ingredients qualify as products of Canada? The Canadian Food Inspection Agency launched a consultation this week to find out. Right now, only products made with 98% domestic ingredients can qualify for the “Product of Canada” designation. All other products must bear the qualifier, “Made in Canada from domestic and …
Food testing within reach
PORT ALBERNI – How is it that a tiny island in Washington state has the first farmer-run community food safety lab in the US, satisfying the rigid requirements of the US Department of Agriculture and the US Food Safety Modernization Act? Part of the San Juan Islands, an archipelago just south of BC’s own Gulf …