Canadian Food Inspection Agency's On-site Assessment Report of Mexico's Food Safety Control System for Fresh Fruit and Vegetables – 2017
1. Introduction
An assessment was conducted in Mexico March 6 to 17, 2017, by a team from the CFIA's Food Import/Export Division, under the auspices of the Food Safety Oversight initiative. The twelve-day mission included:
- interviews with Mexico's CA and third parties involved in the implementation of the CRRS
- visits to both conventional and organic facilities involved in the primary production, packaging, storage and export of various FFV (melons, papayas, mango, bananas, strawberries, tomatoes, green onions, cilantro, fresh herbs and cucumbers) – including fields, shade-houses and macro tunnel operations
- a visit to the National Reference Centre laboratory involved in the testing of fresh produce
An opening meeting was held with the CA on March 6, 2017, during which the objectives of the visit were reviewed, technical aspects of the assessment plan and the itinerary were confirmed. During this meeting the CA provided an overview of their roles and responsibilities. The team also had an opportunity to review various documents and further clarify their understanding of the CRRS.
From March 7 to 16, 2017 the team visited production and packing units recognised/in the process of becoming recognised under the CRRS, various third parties involved in the delivery of the CRRS (CBs, Authorized Third Party Professionals (TPPs) and Third Party Specialists (TPSs)), and the NRCPC. Representatives of the CA and the CFIA Technical Specialist from the Canadian Embassy in Mexico accompanied the assessment team throughout the visit.
A closing meeting was held on March 17, 2017 to summarize the observations of the team, including opportunities to further strengthen the CRRS.
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