Consumers are paying more attention to their food, including where it comes from and how it’s produced. One area of interest is the use of pesticides in growing crops. In Canada, fruit and vegetable growers face a constant battle against pests, diseases, weeds and other environmental challenges. To protect their crops, they use pesticide products that are designed to be both effective and safe. These products are closely regulated to ensure they do not harm the environment or human health. Here's how the system works to ensure the safety of your food.

Regulation and safety: The role of PMRA and CFIA

The Pest Management Regulatory Agency (PMRA) of Health Canada is the national authority that oversees the approval, use and monitoring of pesticides in Canada. This includes all pest control products used in agriculture, landscaping and even in your kitchen cupboard. Under the Pest Control Products Act, the PMRA requires pest control products to undergo rigorous testing to ensure they meet strict health, safety and environmental standards before they can be approved for use on crops or sold to consumers.

After pesticides are approved, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) steps in. The CFIA monitors the food supply to make sure that pesticide residues do not exceed established limits. The agency regularly tests fruits and vegetables from grocery stores to check for pesticide residues, ensuring that our food remains safe to eat. Year after year, CFIA tests confirm that locally grown fruits and vegetables consistently meet Canada’s high safety standards.

For example, during its growing season, an apple is treated with pesticides approved by the PMRA to protect it from diseases and other potential threats. Once harvested, the apples are sent to grocery stores and other retailers. The CFIA then conducts random safety tests of fruits and vegetables at various locations in the market to ensure they meet Canadian standards.

Check out this link for more information on this process.

What’s the deal with glyphosate?

Glyphosate is a commonly used herbicide contained in many brand name weed-killers like ‘Round Up’. Farmers have been using it in their practices for decades to help eliminate weeds that may be harmful to the growth and productivity of their crops. While the use of glyphosate became common among grain farmers in their fields, it’s actually not widely used by fruit and vegetable growers. In fact, it can be harmful to fruit and vegetable plants, which is why it's generally avoided by growers in this sector. For consumers, this means glyphosate residue is rarely found on the fruits and vegetables you buy.

Safe food, safe practices

In Canada, strict regulations ensure that the fruits and vegetables you purchase are safe and nutritious. The PMRA and CFIA work together to monitor the use of pesticides, making sure they protect crops without compromising consumer health. Their oversight ensures that Canadian produce is among the safest in the world, benefiting both human health and the environment. With high standards for food safety, Canada remains a leader in providing healthy, great-tasting produce.