CFIA Conducting Food Importers Information Survey on Importer Risk Assessment

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA), in collaboration with experts from industry, academia and other government departments, has started the development of the Importer Risk Assessment (IRA) model, a quantitative, science-based risk assessment tool designed to evaluate the food safety risk associated with Safe Food for Canadians licensed food importers.

As part of this development, the CFIA is conducting a study to estimate the relative risk (importance) of various assessment criteria considered in the IRA model. CFIA have asked for input in identifying experts (residing in Canada) who could be participants in this study and have contacted all Safe Food for Canadians license holders.

Information is available here. Questions regarding this study can be sent to Romina Zanabria Eyzaguirre at Romina.ZanabriaEyzaguirre@inspection.gc.ca

CFIA has developed a survey for distributing to food importing industry, as well as the following information:

This survey is intended to evaluate the willingness and capability of importers to share some information regarding the use of suppliers with internationally recognized food safety certification(s) and the declaration of the intended use of the imported product.

This data is collected for information only, and will be used by the Agency to evaluate whether certain parameters could be used in the estimation of risk (e.g.; reduction in risk). It is important to note that if these criteria are included in the model, the information will not be collected through the Integrated Import Declaration (IID), but rather, food importers will be invited to provide it when applying/ updating or renewing their licenses.

There are only 2 questions on the survey, and it should take about 5 min to complete it. On the first page, you will find background information explaining our work with the Importer Risk Assessment (IRA) model and the purpose of this exercise.

Participants can select the language of their choice in the survey (top right corner).

To access the survey, click: IRA Survey for importers

If the hyperlink does not work, you can copy and paste: https://form.simplesurvey.com/f/s.aspx?s=439274fc-d0c2-40e2-8d38-fb8cbc5e012c

CFIA are asking interest parties to complete the survey by August 10, 2021.