July 10, 2023, Ottawa
Following an investigation, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) has laid 6 charges under the Safe Food for Canadians Act against MPY Trading Ltd., Ocean Run Seafood Canada Ltd. and the President and Secretary of both companies, Mr. Man-On Yeung, located in Vancouver, British Columbia. MPY Trading Ltd. and Ocean Run Seafood Canada Ltd. operate in the same establishment with the same ownership but hold separate Safe Food for Canadians licences.
The following charges were laid on May 17, 2023. The implicated parties are specified at the end of each count.
- Section 6(1) of the Safe Food for Canadians Act:
To prepare, package, label, sell or advertise a food commodity (in this case crab) in a manner that is false, misleading or deceptive or likely to create an erroneous impression regarding its character, quality, value, quantity, composition, merit, safety or origin or the method of its manufacture or preparation. (MPY Trading Ltd. and Mr. Man-On Yeung) - Section 90(1) of the Safe Food for Canadians Regulations and section 10(1) of the of the Safe Food for Canadians Act:
To import a prescribed food commodity (in this case crab) in a manner that is not in accordance with the regulations and act noted above. (Ocean Run Seafood Canada Ltd. and Mr. Man-On Yeung) - Section 90(1) of the Safe Food for Canadians Regulations and section 10(1) of the of the Safe Food for Canadians Act:
To export a prescribed food commodity (in this case crab), in a manner that is not in accordance with the regulations and act noted above. (MPY Trading Ltd. and Mr. Man-On Yeung) - Section 15 of the Safe Food for Canadians Act:
To provide false or misleading information to persons who were exercising powers or performing duties or functions under the Safe Food for Canadians Act. (Ocean Run Seafood Canada Ltd. and MPY Trading Ltd.) - Section 17(1) of the Safe Food for Canadians Act:
To alter or falsify documents (in this case tally sheets, logs and/or export certificates for crab), that were required under the Safe Food for Canadians Act and its Regulations to be kept, maintained or provided. (MPY Trading Ltd., Ocean Run Seafood Canada Ltd. and Mr. Man-On Yeung) - Section 90 (1) of the Safe Food for Canadians Regulations and section 39 of the Safe Food for Canadians Act:
To fail to prepare and keep the documents concerning the traceability of the purchased crab. (MPY Trading Ltd., Ocean Run Seafood Canada Ltd. and Mr. Man-On Yeung)
The Safe Food for Canadians licence of MPY Trading Ltd. was suspended in February 2020, with reinstatement in March 2020. The Safe Food for Canadians licence of Ocean Run Seafood Canada Ltd. was also suspended in February 2020 and reinstated in March 2020.
The accused parties are scheduled to appear in provincial court in Richmond, British Columbia on August 23, 2023.
The CFIA is responsible for the administration and enforcement of federal legislation, acts, and regulations. The CFIA is dedicated to safeguarding food, animal, and plant health, which enhances the health and well-being of Canada's people, environment, and economy.
The CFIA informs the public when charges have been laid by its Enforcement and Investigation Services (EIS). Charges are laid by EIS after the Public Prosecution Service of Canada (PPSC) decides to prosecute the charges. This notice is part of a commitment to openness and transparency and ongoing efforts to increase awareness of the CFIA's role in encouraging compliance with the various acts and regulations. In all cases, the subject of charges is presumed innocent until proven guilty.