The federal government has opened a Food and Drugs Act Liaison Office in Ottawa to handle the public’s issues with Canada’s food and drug laws.
The Act is the federal legislation that governs food and drugs made in or imported into Canada and their safety, labels and label claims.
According to a government press release Tuesday, the liaison office is meant to “provide an independent and confidential resource for the public when they are experiencing problems with the regulatory process or with the application of policies or procedures” under the Act.
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The office “will also work with departmental and public stakeholders to facilitate early resolution of disputes and work to prevent future disputes of a similar nature from occurring.”
The government said the office will take complaints, offer options and recommendations, help work toward resolutions and examine issues “independently and impartially.”
The office’s web site recommends it to people who need help identifying who to call or what the next steps are or could be, in resolving issues relating to the Act; those who have reason to believe the process leading to a related decision by Health Canada was “unfair, biased” or not following due process; or those looking for support in trying to reach resolution of an issue.
The office doesn’t recommend people contact its staff if their issue involves a case before the courts or is unrelated to the Food and Drugs Act — nor if the complainant hasn’t tried to resolve the issue with Health Canada or is “not willing to co-operate” with the liaison office.
The liaison office can be reached toll-free at 1-866-339-4998.
