The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) issued a notice to importers on the changes to import requirements and sampling/testing requirements of romaine lettuce from US effective of October 7, 2020..
Romaine lettuce imported from the United States has been associated with several outbreaks of foodborne E. coli O157:H7 illnesses in Canada and the USA. Food safety investigations and trace-backs from U.S. authorities have identified a recurring geographical area as the source of the outbreaks. This area encompasses the California Salinas valley counties of Santa Cruz, Santa Clara, San Benito and Monterey.
Due to the reoccurring nature of the outbreaks in Canada the CFIA is implementing temporary import conditions for romaine lettuce originating from these growing areas. This import requirement will require importers of romaine lettuce from the implicated regions in the USA to provide a Certificate of Analysis for each shipment to demonstrate that the product does not contain detectable levels of E. coli O157:H7. This measure is in effect for all shipments arriving in Canada between October 7 and December 31, 2020.
Import requirements
The CFIA will allow the importation of romaine lettuce from the USA if:
- the importer has a valid Safe Food for Canadians licence
- the importer indicates the geographical origin of the romaine lettuce
- romaine lettuce grown in California has been handled by a certified member of the California LGMA
- romaine lettuce grown in Arizona has been handled by a shipper that is a certified member of the Arizona LGMA
- romaine lettuce from the California counties of Santa Clara, Santa Cruz, San Benito and Monterey is accompanied by a certificate of analysis demonstrating that sampling was conducted according to the sampling and testing requirements and the product does not contain detectable levels of E. coli O157:H7
- if a declaration of origin of the romaine lettuce is not available, a certification of analysis must be provided
Scope of the import requirements
The requirements apply to all US shipments of romaine lettuce or salad mixes containing romaine lettuce, sold in bags, in bulk, or combined with other food items, in a fresh state. It applies to all varieties of mature and baby romaine.
Declaration of origin
Shipments of romaine lettuce or salad mixes containing romaine lettuce from the USA, outside the California counties of Santa Clara, Santa Cruz, San Benito and Monterey, must be accompanied by a declaration from the exporter on official company letterhead which includes:
- the signature of the exporter
- the date the letter was signed by the exporter
- the state and county where the romaine lettuce was harvested
The official declaration should not contain other information.
Sampling and testing requirement
Each importer must have a sampling program in place to test for the presence of E. coli O157:H7 in romaine lettuce or salad mix containing romaine lettuce imported from the California counties of Santa Cruz, Santa Clara, San Benito and Monterey. Sampling and testing can be conducted either in the USA or in Canada.
View the complete publication of the changes on this notice here. If you have questions contact CFIA directly.