Inspect and Protect

The CFIA has touched Canadians' lives every single day for the last 25 years, whether you’re a traveller, farmer, rancher, gardener, pet owner or grocery shopper.

Listen to our conversation with Dr. Primal Silva, Chief Science Operating Officer, as he explains how and why you can have confidence in the CFIA’s science.

Managing highly pathogenic avian influenza outbreaks in animal populations is essential for public health, the poultry industry, and the Canadian economy, especially since wild birds can carry and spread the virus without showing symptoms.

Frozen breaded chicken products, like chicken nuggets and fingers, are commonly found in Canadian households. They're quick, easy, and loved by kids and adults alike. But behind these convenient foods is a story of science and safety.

Canada's agriculture and agri-food system employs about 2.3 million people and generates over $150 billion of Canada's gross domestic product (GDP). It is a complex system that is safeguarded by Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) employees and is known as one of the best food safety systems in the world.

When it comes to pin-pointing sources of foodborne illness, tracking detections of a new invasive plant pest, or studying the spread of an animal disease, geographic data is a powerful tool that helps the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) respond effectively to challenges and emergencies.

In late August 2022, Ontario public health authorities notified the Public Health Agency of Canada of 12 cases of an unknown foodborne illness in York, Ontario. Early observations from local public health authorities identified symptoms consistent with aconitine poisoning.

Potato wart is a disease of potatoes caused by the fungus Synchytrium endobioticum – a particularly hardy and persistent pest. While potato wart does not pose a risk to human or animal health, the disease can deform potato tubers, making them unmarketable, and reduce crop yields.

Could you identify a plant seed out of hundreds of thousands of species, or tell the difference between the seed of a crop and an invasive species?