RCC recommends clarifications to Health Canada’s policy on listeria in ready-to-eat foods

Health Canada’s policy on “Listeria monocytogenes in Ready-to-Eat Foods” sets forth control measures for the pathogen in high-risk foods, and provides retailers with certainty on application of the policy in the retail environment.

Working with its grocery members, RCC indicated its support for draft amendments to the Policy in 2021, as it incorporated many of the previous comments, and RCC made further recommendations this month regarding food exclusions and application to food businesses. The revised Policy will provide further certainty for retailers in terms of how the government will interpret and apply the policy.