Red Tape Challenge: Food processing summary

Re: Food safety and Quality Act

My suggestion is to look at the regulatory environment of France or Quebec or Vermont, check to see if they have significantly higher health issues and then, if there are no visible obstacles, import directly the regulations for cheese plants. We are losing the battle in this field, the consumer wants more choice and better quality products and our legislative framework will only consider the industrial setting.

Re: Milk Act

The current regulations are very prescriptive in many area, omit key items such as the requirement for pasteurization of fluid milk and are outdated for today’s industry and as such are hindering the industry’s ability to grow.

Re: Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act

I'm in favour of accessibility but the regulations seem like a lot of paperwork for businesses that are already compliant.

Re: Food safety and Quality Act

The requirements around licensing for food production facilities are very difficult or costly to comply with for new businesses. Many of the foods that these entrepreneurs propose are very low risk from a food safety perspective. Michigan has a Cottage Food Law that uses a risk-based approach and makes specific exemptions to allow small start-up companies to prepare certain types of food in domestic facilities.

Re: Employer Health Tax Act (general regulation)

Our business falls into a salary range which requires monthly reporting, however we go a large part of the year without owing any money. If your forms were designed to be submitted in a no payment situation it would make the process clearer without increasing the burden on us.

Most commented on pieces of legislation

1. Grapes for processing - marketing requirements (17 comments)
2. Planning Act (10 comments)
3. Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (8 comments)

Most commented on categories

1. Food marketing regulations
2. Food oversight regulations
3. Occupational health and safety regulations