The Canadian Food Inspection Agency will be opening a
reference laboratory for food-borne viruses at St.-Hyacinthe, Que.
Why it's not at Guelph, which is the federal government's centre for food research, is a bit of a mystery. Except an election looms. But you'd like to hope that research and food safety were not political footballs.
The CFIA also announced it has made an agreement with Génome Québec to develop
genomics-based analytical methods for pathogen detection and epidemiological
support.
“This
partnership is expected to lead to the development of more precise, molecular-based
methods for identifying specific strains of foodborne viruses,” the CFIA says
in the announcement posted on its website.
“This
ultimately could help the CFIA trace outbreaks of viral foodborne illness back
to a specific source and take a more targeted approach to recalling
contaminated products.
“It will
also allow public health officials to identify high-risk strains of foodborne
viruses.
“Over the
next five years, the CFIA will continue to improve its laboratory services in
St-Hyacinthe by modernizing its facilities and equipment as well as conducting
research and developing new methods of detection.
“Additionally,
the laboratory has been increasing professional and technical staff and is
developing advanced technologies for food surveillance.
“The Food
Virology National Reference Centre will be a part of the Food
Safety Information Network announced earlier this year.
“The FSIN
will be implemented incrementally over five years, linking federal and
provincial food safety authorities and accredited laboratories across the
country,” the CFIA notice says.
