December 24, 2009

Canada appeals FDA embargo of tainted canola

The American FDA is deciding on requests by Canadian oilseed processors on the resumption of canola meal after salmonella tainted shipments were prevented from entering the US. 

The halt affects some of Canada's largest canola processors, including Bunge, Archer Daniels Midland, Cargill and Viterra.

A Viterra spokesman said the company is working with the Canola Council of Canada and the Canadian Oilseed Processor's Association and with the FDA to resolve this issue on behalf of the industry.

When the FDA has a product sample that comes back positive for salmonella, future shipments of that product from that particular manufacturer is subject to detention when it enters the US. The detention of that product will continue for each subsequent shipment until the firm has shown to the FDA that they have controlled the problem.

Dave Hickling, vice president of Canola Utilisation for the Canola Council of Canada, said efforts were being made to work with the FDA to resolve the issue. He said both short and long term measures to address the situation were in the process.

"As the Canola Council of Canada, we have been closely monitoring the situation and also have been included on a technical committee working on resolving the problem," Hickling said.