Chapter: Operations and Documentation
Section: F.B.2 Presence of Non-Food Animals
Sub-Section: N/A

Elements

The regulatory requirements contained in this guideline will be met when:

F.B.2 (01) Pets and other non-food animals (except for service animals) are not allowed in the fish processing plant used by the operation. (Risk Ranking: Medium)

F.B.2 (02) Service animals are not present in any areas where fish products are processed, packaged, labelled, shipped, received, stored or handled, or where ingredients, labelling materials or packaging materials are stored or handled. (Risk Ranking: Medium)

Rationale

Non-food animals, such as pets or service animals, pose a significant risk to food safety in a fish processing plant. Non-food animals (except for service animals) must not enter areas of plants where they could potentially contaminate products and the food processing, handling and storage environment. This is because many infectious agents can be directly or indirectly transmitted by pets or non-food animals to food. For example, Toxoplasmosis, a disease of cats, dogs and birds, is transmitted when these animals shed oocysts in faeces. This can lead to contamination of food.

Service animals, such as guide dogs, must only be present in:

  • areas that are not used for the receiving, processing, packaging, labelling, shipping, handling or storing of fish products,
  • areas that are not used for handling or storing ingredients, labelling materials or packaging materials.

A fish processing operation that is also licensed meat plant should ensure that food-animals do not cause cross-contamination of fish products or rooms/areas of the fish processing plant used by the fish processing operation.

Regulatory references

Food Safety and Quality Act, 2001; O. Reg. 465/19 s.36

    1. The operator of a fish processing operation in respect of which a licence is required under this Regulation shall ensure that no animal shall be in any room or area of the fish processing plant used by the operation, except for,
      1. an animal to be processed in compliance with the Act or the Safe Food for Canadians Act (Canada); or
      2. subject to subsection (2), a service animal for a person with a disability, described in subsection 80.45 (4) of Ontario Regulation 191/11 (Integrated Accessibility Standards) made under the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005.
    2. Despite clause (1) (b), service animals are not allowed in any area where fish products are processed, packaged, shipped, received or labelled or any area where fish products, ingredients, labelling materials or packaging materials are stored or handled.