In a soon-to-be-published report on food traceability done by the University of Guelph and the Global Food Traceability Center in Washington, D.C., Canada and U.S. food tracking systems are ranked well behind those of many European countries. Lead author and professor Sylvain Charlebois says that while food safety in Canada is fairly secure, improving traceability would "enhance a range of areas, including animal welfare, organic sourcing, fair trade and food fraud."

Charlebois, who recently presented the report's findings at a conference in New Orleans, also emphasizes that the complexity of Canada's system inhibits product tracking in times of crisis and recommends looking to Europe for ways to standardize tracking systems. Read U of G's full announcement. [1]