The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) has announced import requirements for U.S. romaine lettuce for fall 2022, with special requirements for certain lettuce grown in California’s Salinas Valley.
Whole head romaine and products containing romaine, such as those produced in the four Salinas Valley counties of Santa Cruz, Santa Clara, San Benito and Monterey For bagged salads, “a certification form and certificate of analysis must be submitted for each shipment to certify that romaine lettuce does not contain detectable levels of E. coli O157:H7 according to the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA).
Requirements are the same as in Fall 2021, but the implementation time frame has changed. The 2022 requirements are now in effect on September 28 and will end on December 22. Pre-harvest will be allowed again in 2022 Sampling and testing.
Products from the rest of the U.S. must “state that the product is not from Santa Cruz, Santa Clara, San Benito and Montenegro, Salinas Valley, CA, USA Ray,” according to the CFIA. This statement may take the form of a letter printed on company letterhead.
Compliance with the requirement is the responsibility of the Canadian importer or non-resident importer of the United States. In 2021, the designation of a Representatives to complete a certification form.
In recent years, outbreaks of foodborne illness have been linked to romaine lettuce grown in California and Arizona. Some lettuce was shipped to Canada, where it caused more Disease.
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