MISSISSAUGA, ONTARIO – In the name of bolstering the packaging industry’s ability to improve food safety in Canada, its parliament has approved an investment of $569,000 in the Packaging Association of Canada, announced Bob Dechert, Member of Parliament on behalf of Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz.

"We're investing in the safety of the entire value chain by supporting the packaging industry as they deliver these safe, high quality foods to our grocery cart," Mr. Dechert said. "This investment will help the Packaging Association of Canada remain on the cutting edge of safe food handling and packaging practices."

The Packaging Association of Canada will use this investment to further develop its PACsecure food-safety program, which outlines food-safety standards for the packaging industry. The funding will be used to create additional on-line training programs and materials, further develop the audit process and conduct recall and traceability field tests and workshops. The association will continue to promote PACsecure to the packaging industry through tradeshows and speaking engagements.

This federal Growing Forward investment is being made through the Canadian Integrated Food Safety Initiative (C.I.F.S.I.). The Government of Canada is helping organizations develop national, government-recognized on-farm and/or post-farm Hazard Analysis of Critical Control Points (H.A.C.C.P.) or H.A.C.C.P.-based food-safety systems.