Canadian Society of Customs Brokers (CSCB) received a further update from CFIA in regards to romaine lettuce importations from California. Their previous communication on this topic is available here.
“This is to advise you of a new development as we prepare for the implementation of the temporary licence condition for romaine lettuce to be imported from the Salinas Valley, California this fall.
As communicated to you in July, the CFIA has been engaged with the California LGMA and Western Growers Association to pursue the possibility of offering the option of pre-harvest sampling and testing as a means to comply with the licence condition.
We are pleased to inform you that the CFIA has made the determination that pre-harvest sampling and testing will be an acceptable option under certain conditions. The text of the licence condition is still being finalized, however we can confirm at this point that it will refer to the “routine testing” option contained in Appendix C, Section II, of the California LGMA’s Commodity Specific Food Safety Guidelines for the Production and Harvest of Lettuce and Leafy Greens, with the following additional conditions:
• the maximum size of the sampling lot is 2 acres.
• the minimum number of individual random sample units (grab specimens) per lot is 60.
The exact version of Appendix C that the licence condition will reference is not yet published. You can refer to Version 8/9/2021, which is undergoing minor final modifications.”
To read full notice, click here.
Source: Canadian Society of Customs Brokers (CSCB); Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA)
