Falsified food safety certificates lead to $100,000 fine

Bruce Arabsky, of Superior Poultry Processors and Hallmark Poultry Processors, has pleaded guilty to four counts of violating Canada's Meat Inspection Act.

A fine of $25,000 was imposed for each violation, for a total fine of $100,000.

The court heard that, over several years, Mr Arabsky submitted 31 falsified certificates of analysis to the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) for poultry destined for South Africa.

These certificates of analysis, which are required by the CFIA before export certificates are authorised, falsely stated that the poultry products had been tested for salmonella enteriditis and salmonella typhimurium.

Mr Arabsky was responsible for all exports of poultry products for Superior and Hallmark since 1992.

The CFIA is responsible for enforcing a variety of federal legislation including the Meat Inspection Act and its regulations. The CFIA's jurisdiction is limited to the enforcement of these Acts and their Regulations. It protects consumers by contributing to food safety, the protection of plants and the health of animals in Canada.

Editor WorldPoultry