For release: July 13, 2004
Ontario to Have Safer Food Supply
Government Invests In Food Safety Research
TORONTO - The Ontario government is improving the health of residents
by investing in research projects designed to enhance the safety of foods
produced and processed in Ontario, Minister of Agriculture and Food Steve
Peters announced today.
"Consumers demand a safe food supply," said Peters. "Food-borne
diseases are largely preventable, and every participant along the food
chain, from the primary producer to the consumer, has a role to play."
The Ontario government is providing up $500,000 for a new round of research
projects that will focus on:
- developing and validating methods for detecting pathogens and chemicals;
- identifying emerging hazards and contaminants and data to support
risk assessments; and
- improving risk management and control in food safety.
A request for proposals has been issued to Canadian universities, agri-food
and rural organizations and other researchers with a deadline for submissions
of July 30, 2004.
Over the past four years, Ontario has provided support for 34 food safety
research projects focused on developing and validating testing methods
for use in laboratory and field settings; identifying emerging hazards;
and analyzing, assessing and managing food safety risks.
"Renewing our commitment to food safety research will help us realize
our goal of improving the health of Ontarians," added Peters. "By
building on what we've accomplished to date, and enhancing the safety
and quality of our food products, we will give Ontarians a quality of
life that is second to none."
A list of project summaries is available at: http://www.omafra.gov.on.ca/english/research/food/foodsafe.htm
Media Contact:
Mary Devorski
Minister's Office
(416) 326-3077
(416) 606-8303
Program Contact:
Karen Atchison
Ministry of Agriculture and Food
(519) 826-4248
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