When it comes to transporting food, food safety risks are taken very seriously. For this reason, there are specific regulations that ensure sanitary conditions during transportation.
Food safety requirements must be maintained by implementing prevention practices during transportation such as adequate vehicle cleaning between loads, protecting food, and properly refrigerating the trailer.
These rules apply to shippers, loaders, carriers, and receivers.
These regulations also include proper design and maintenance of the equipment that transports food and food supplies.
In Canada, all companies involved with the transportation of food need to remain compliant with the Canadian Food Inspection Agency and the Government of Canada Transportation and Storage requirements for food carriers.
Who Is Responsible for Food Safety in Canada?
On a federal level, Health Canada is responsible for food safety. They maintain and monitor food safety standards for food businesses.
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) enforces the policies set by Health Canada. They work with other federal, provincial, and municipal authorities to implement food safety measures and systems, even when it comes to transportation.
The Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) monitors food-borne illness and carries out control activities to reduce public health risks related to food.
Food safety laws can vary across the country so it’s also important to understand the requirements and laws specific to your area.
Compliance Fines
Since 2019, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency has been fining companies with “Administrative Monetary Penalties” (AMPs) up to $15,000 against food businesses that violate food safety.
Up until 2015, only the meat industry was subject to these fines. Now, they can be applied to any company involved in the food industry – including the transportation of food.
These administrative fines are in addition to penalties incurred by violating federal food laws.
AMP penalties can be non-monetary in nature through a “Notice of Violation”. For serious repeat violators, fines of $15,000 may also be issued.
AMPs ranging from $500-$1,300 can also be issued to individuals.
Public Health Concerns
These steep AMPs are not a money grab for the government. They are an assurance to the public that food, animals, and plants consumed by Canadians will be safeguarded in order to ensure the health of the population.
By having a comprehensive and consistent set of tools, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency can enforce compliance and protect public health.
Previously, as mentioned above, these stringent fines only applied to the meat industry. Now, they can be consistently handed out across the country in amounts comparative to the violation and public health risk.
How to Ensure Food Safety During Transportation
When it comes to safely transporting food and food products, whether to restaurants or grocery stores, there are steps your business can take to ensure your team and equipment meets food safety requirements.
Your policies and procedures should include an understanding of the Canadian Food Inspection Agency’s regulations as well as the Government of Canada Transportation and Storage requirements.
Your employees should also be trained in food safety handling as well as how to monitor and maintain the proper temperatures while transporting food supplies.
There are safety programs available, such as TFSP (Trucking Food Safety Program) that train drivers and food handlers on how to maintain product temperatures and sanitize equipment. This training can be completed annually.
When it comes to the proper sanitization of your trucking equipment, you can always rely on the services of mobile wash technicians to use thorough and approved sanitization methods to ensure you are meeting Canadian regulations.
Negative Implications Towards Businesses
Although failing to properly ensure food safety during the transportation process can lead to fines and penalties, there are other ways this can negatively impact your business.
Not only will this hurt you financially but it can also tarnish your reputation, especially if clients and customers end up becoming ill due to a food-borne illness.
Food contaminated by viruses, bacteria, and parasites can make people extremely sick. This contamination can happen anywhere in the food production chain but can occur during distribution and transportation.
For example, if refrigerated food is left on a loading dock in warm weather, it could reach a high enough temperature for bacteria to grow. Likewise, produce can become contaminated if it is loaded onto a truck that has not been properly cleaned after transporting animal products.
Overall, the steps to ensuring the safe and healthy delivery of food and food products from your trucks are worth taking all necessary steps to meet compliance.
Remain Compliant With Regular Fleet Washing!
At Canadian Mobile Wash, our team of expert mobile wash technicians can ensure that your truck’s cleanliness remains compliant with the Government of Canada Transportation and Storage requirements.
When it comes to choosing the right fleet washing provider, we guarantee satisfaction through our commitment to quality.
Let us help your food transportation meet compliance and avoid fines. Contact us today!
