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Version of document from 2004-10-13 to 2005-05-13:

Food and Drugs Act

R.S.C., 1985, c. F-27

An Act respecting food, drugs, cosmetics and therapeutic devices

Short Title

Marginal note:Short title

 This Act may be cited as the Food and Drugs Act.

  • R.S., c. F-27, s. 1

Interpretation

Marginal note:Definitions

 In this Act,

advertisement

publicité ou annonce

advertisement includes any representation by any means whatever for the purpose of promoting directly or indirectly the sale or disposal of any food, drug, cosmetic or device; (publicité ou annonce)

analyst

analyste

analyst means a person designated as an analyst for the purpose of the enforcement of this Act under section 28 or under section 13 of the Canadian Food Inspection Agency Act; (analyste)

contraceptive device

moyen anticonceptionnel

contraceptive device means any instrument, apparatus, contrivance or substance other than a drug, that is manufactured, sold or represented for use in the prevention of conception; (moyen anticonceptionnel)

cosmetic

cosmétique

cosmetic includes any substance or mixture of substances manufactured, sold or represented for use in cleansing, improving or altering the complexion, skin, hair or teeth, and includes deodorants and perfumes; (cosmétique)

Department

ministère

Department means the Department of Health; (ministère)

device

instrument

device means any article, instrument, apparatus or contrivance, including any component, part or accessory thereof, manufactured, sold or represented for use in

  • (a) the diagnosis, treatment, mitigation or prevention of a disease, disorder or abnormal physical state, or its symptoms, in human beings or animals,

  • (b) restoring, correcting or modifying a body function or the body structure of human beings or animals,

  • (c) the diagnosis of pregnancy in human beings or animals, or

  • (d) the care of human beings or animals during pregnancy and at and after birth of the offspring, including care of the offspring,

and includes a contraceptive device but does not include a drug; (instrument)

drug

drogue

drug includes any substance or mixture of substances manufactured, sold or represented for use in

  • (a) the diagnosis, treatment, mitigation or prevention of a disease, disorder or abnormal physical state, or its symptoms, in human beings or animals,

  • (b) restoring, correcting or modifying organic functions in human beings or animals, or

  • (c) disinfection in premises in which food is manufactured, prepared or kept; (drogue)

food

aliment

food includes any article manufactured, sold or represented for use as food or drink for human beings, chewing gum, and any ingredient that may be mixed with food for any purpose whatever; (aliment)

inspector

inspecteur

inspector means any person designated as an inspector for the purpose of the enforcement of this Act under subsection 22(1) or under section 13 of the Canadian Food Inspection Agency Act; (inspecteur)

label

étiquette

label includes any legend, word or mark attached to, included in, belonging to or accompanying any food, drug, cosmetic, device or package; (étiquette)

Minister

ministre

Minister means the Minister of Health; (ministre)

package

emballage

package includes any thing in which any food, drug, cosmetic or device is wholly or partly contained, placed or packed; (emballage)

prescribed

Version anglaise seulement

prescribed means prescribed by the regulations; (Version anglaise seulement)

sell

vente

sell includes offer for sale, expose for sale, have in possession for sale and distribute, whether or not the distribution is made for consideration; (vente)

unsanitary conditions

conditions non hygiéniques

unsanitary conditions means such conditions or circumstances as might contaminate with dirt or filth, or render injurious to health, a food, drug or cosmetic. (conditions non hygiéniques)

  • R.S., 1985, c. F-27, s. 2
  • R.S., 1985, c. 27 (1st Supp.), s. 191
  • 1992, c. 1, s. 145(F)
  • 1993, c. 34, s. 71
  • 1994, c. 26, s. 32(F), c. 38, s. 18
  • 1995, c. 1, s. 63
  • 1996, c. 8, ss. 23.1, 32, 34
  • 1997, c. 6, s. 62

PART IFoods, Drugs, Cosmetics and Devices

General

Marginal note:Prohibited advertising

  •  (1) No person shall advertise any food, drug, cosmetic or device to the general public as a treatment, preventative or cure for any of the diseases, disorders or abnormal physical states referred to in Schedule A.

  • Marginal note:Prohibited label or advertisement where sale made

    (2) No person shall sell any food, drug, cosmetic or device

    • (a) that is represented by label, or

    • (b) that the person advertises to the general public

    as a treatment, preventative or cure for any of the diseases, disorders or abnormal physical states referred to in Schedule A.

  • Marginal note:Unauthorized advertising of contraceptive device prohibited

    (3) Except as authorized by regulation, no person shall advertise to the general public any contraceptive device or any drug manufactured, sold or represented for use in the prevention of conception.

  • R.S., 1985, c. F-27, s. 3
  • 1993, c. 34, s. 72(F)

Food

Marginal note:Prohibited sales of food

 No person shall sell an article of food that

  • (a) has in or on it any poisonous or harmful substance;

  • (b) is unfit for human consumption;

  • (c) consists in whole or in part of any filthy, putrid, disgusting, rotten, decomposed or diseased animal or vegetable substance;

  • (d) is adulterated; or

  • (e) was manufactured, prepared, preserved, packaged or stored under unsanitary conditions.

  • R.S., c. F-27, s. 4

Marginal note:Deception, etc., regarding food

  •  (1) No person shall label, package, treat, process, sell or advertise any food in a manner that is false, misleading or deceptive or is likely to create an erroneous impression regarding its character, value, quantity, composition, merit or safety.

  • Marginal note:Food labelled or packaged in contravention of regulations

    (2) An article of food that is not labelled or packaged as required by, or is labelled or packaged contrary to, the regulations shall be deemed to be labelled or packaged contrary to subsection (1).

  • R.S., c. F-27, s. 5

Marginal note:Importation and interprovincial movement of food

  •  (1) Where a standard for a food has been prescribed, no person shall

    • (a) import into Canada,

    • (b) send, convey or receive for conveyance from one province to another, or

    • (c) have in possession for the purpose of sending or conveying from one province to another

    any article that is intended for sale and that is likely to be mistaken for that food unless the article complies with the prescribed standard.

  • Marginal note:Not applicable to carriers

    (2) Paragraphs (1)(b) and (c) do not apply to an operator of a conveyance that is used to carry an article or to a carrier of an article whose sole concern, in respect of the article, is the conveyance of the article unless the operator or carrier could, with reasonable diligence, have ascertained that the conveying or receiving for conveyance of the article or the possession of the article for the purpose of conveyance would be in contravention of subsection (1).

  • Marginal note:Labelling, etc., of food that is imported or moved interprovincially

    (3) Where a standard for a food has been prescribed, no person shall label, package, sell or advertise any article that

    • (a) has been imported into Canada,

    • (b) has been sent or conveyed from one province to another, or

    • (c) is intended to be sent or conveyed from one province to another

    in such a manner that it is likely to be mistaken for that food unless the article complies with the prescribed standard.

  • R.S., 1985, c. F-27, s. 6
  • R.S., 1985, c. 27 (3rd Supp.), s. 1

Marginal note:Governor in Council may identify standard or portion thereof

  •  (1) The Governor in Council may, by regulation, identify a standard prescribed for a food, or any portion of the standard, as being necessary to prevent injury to the health of the consumer or purchaser of the food.

  • Marginal note:Where standard or portion thereof is identified

    (2) Where a standard or any portion of a standard prescribed for a food is identified by the Governor in Council pursuant to subsection (1), no person shall label, package, sell or advertise any article in such a manner that it is likely to be mistaken for that food unless the article complies with the standard or portion of a standard so identified.

  • R.S., 1985, c. 27 (3rd Supp.), s. 1

Marginal note:Unsanitary manufacture, etc., of food

 No person shall manufacture, prepare, preserve, package or store for sale any food under unsanitary conditions.

  • R.S., c. F-27, s. 7

Drugs

Marginal note:Prohibited sales of drugs

 No person shall sell any drug that

  • (a) was manufactured, prepared, preserved, packaged or stored under unsanitary conditions; or

  • (b) is adulterated.

  • R.S., c. F-27, s. 8

Marginal note:Deception, etc., regarding drugs

  •  (1) No person shall label, package, treat, process, sell or advertise any drug in a manner that is false, misleading or deceptive or is likely to create an erroneous impression regarding its character, value, quantity, composition, merit or safety.

  • Marginal note:Drugs labelled or packaged in contravention of regulations

    (2) A drug that is not labelled or packaged as required by, or is labelled or packaged contrary to, the regulations shall be deemed to be labelled or packaged contrary to subsection (1).

  • R.S., c. F-27, s. 9

Marginal note:Where standard prescribed for drug

  •  (1) Where a standard has been prescribed for a drug, no person shall label, package, sell or advertise any substance in such a manner that it is likely to be mistaken for that drug, unless the substance complies with the prescribed standard.

  • Marginal note:Trade standards

    (2) Where a standard has not been prescribed for a drug, but a standard for the drug is contained in any publication referred to in Schedule B, no person shall label, package, sell or advertise any substance in such a manner that it is likely to be mistaken for that drug, unless the substance complies with the standard.

  • Marginal note:Where no prescribed or trade standard

    (3) Where a standard for a drug has not been prescribed and no standard for the drug is contained in any publication referred to in Schedule B, no person shall sell the drug unless

    • (a) it is in accordance with the professed standard under which it is sold; and

    • (b) it does not resemble, in a manner likely to deceive, any drug for which a standard has been prescribed or is contained in any publication referred to in Schedule B.

  • R.S., c. F-27, s. 10

Marginal note:Unsanitary manufacture, etc., of drug

 No person shall manufacture, prepare, preserve, package or store for sale any drug under unsanitary conditions.

  • R.S., c. F-27, s. 11

Marginal note:Drugs not to be sold unless safe manufacture indicated

 No person shall sell any drug described in Schedule C or D unless the Minister has, in prescribed form and manner, indicated that the premises in which the drug was manufactured and the process and conditions of manufacture therein are suitable to ensure that the drug will not be unsafe for use.

  • R.S., c. F-27, s. 12

Marginal note:Drugs not to be sold unless safe batch indicated

 No person shall sell any drug described in Schedule E unless the Minister has, in prescribed form and manner, indicated that the batch from which the drug was taken is not unsafe for use.

  • R.S., c. F-27, s. 13

Marginal note:Samples

  •  (1) No person shall distribute or cause to be distributed any drug as a sample.

  • Marginal note:Exception

    (2) Subsection (1) does not apply to the distribution, under prescribed conditions, of samples of drugs to physicians, dentists, veterinary surgeons or pharmacists.

  • R.S., c. F-27, s. 14

Marginal note:Schedule F drugs not to be sold

 No person shall sell any drug described in Schedule F.

  • R.S., c. F-27, s. 15

Cosmetics

Marginal note:Prohibited sales of cosmetics

 No person shall sell any cosmetic that

  • (a) has in or on it any substance that may cause injury to the health of the user when the cosmetic is used,

    • (i) according to the directions on the label or accompanying the cosmetic, or

    • (ii) for such purposes and by such methods of use as are customary or usual therefor;

  • (b) consists in whole or in part of any filthy or decomposed substance or of any foreign matter; or

  • (c) was manufactured, prepared, preserved, packaged or stored under unsanitary conditions.

  • R.S., c. F-27, s. 16

Marginal note:Where standard prescribed for cosmetic

 Where a standard has been prescribed for a cosmetic, no person shall label, package, sell or advertise any article in such a manner that it is likely to be mistaken for that cosmetic, unless the article complies with the prescribed standard.

  • R.S., c. F-27, s. 17

Marginal note:Unsanitary conditions

 No person shall manufacture, prepare, preserve, package or store for sale any cosmetic under unsanitary conditions.

  • R.S., c. F-27, s. 18

Devices

Marginal note:Prohibited sales of devices

 No person shall sell any device that, when used according to directions or under such conditions as are customary or usual, may cause injury to the health of the purchaser or user thereof.

  • R.S., c. F-27, s. 19

Marginal note:Deception, etc., regarding devices

  •  (1) No person shall label, package, treat, process, sell or advertise any device in a manner that is false, misleading or deceptive or is likely to create an erroneous impression regarding its design, construction, performance, intended use, quantity, character, value, composition, merit or safety.

  • Marginal note:Devices labelled or packaged in contravention of regulations

    (2) A device that is not labelled or packaged as required by, or is labelled or packaged contrary to, the regulations shall be deemed to be labelled or packaged contrary to subsection (1).

  • R.S., c. F-27, s. 20
  • 1976-77, c. 28, s. 16

Marginal note:Where standard prescribed for device

 Where a standard has been prescribed for a device, no person shall label, package, sell or advertise any article in such a manner that it is likely to be mistaken for that device, unless the article complies with the prescribed standard.

  • R.S., c. F-27, s. 21

PART IIAdministration and Enforcement

Inspection, Seizure and Forfeiture

Marginal note:Inspectors

  •  (1) The Minister may designate any person as an inspector for the purpose of the enforcement of this Act.

  • Marginal note:Certificate to be produced

    (2) An inspector shall be given a certificate in a form established by the Minister or the President of the Canadian Food Inspection Agency attesting to the inspector’s designation and, on entering any place pursuant to subsection 23(1), an inspector shall, if so required, produce the certificate to the person in charge of that place.

  • R.S., 1985, c. F-27, s. 22
  • 1997, c. 6, s. 63

Marginal note:Powers of inspectors

  •  (1) Subject to subsection (1.1), an inspector may at any reasonable time enter any place where the inspector believes on reasonable grounds any article to which this Act or the regulations apply is manufactured, prepared, preserved, packaged or stored, and may

    • (a) examine any such article and take samples thereof, and examine anything that the inspector believes on reasonable grounds is used or capable of being used for that manufacture, preparation, preservation, packaging or storing;

    • (a.1) enter any conveyance that the inspector believes on reasonable grounds is used to carry any article to which section 6 or 6.1 applies and examine any such article found therein and take samples thereof;

    • (b) open and examine any receptacle or package that the inspector believes on reasonable grounds contains any article to which this Act or the regulations apply;

    • (c) examine and make copies of, or extracts from, any books, documents or other records found in any place referred to in this subsection that the inspector believes on reasonable grounds contain any information relevant to the enforcement of this Act with respect to any article to which this Act or the regulations apply; and

    • (d) seize and detain for such time as may be necessary any article by means of or in relation to which the inspector believes on reasonable grounds any provision of this Act or the regulations has been contravened.

  • Marginal note:Warrant required to enter dwelling-house

    (1.1) Where any place mentioned in subsection (1) is a dwelling-house, an inspector may not enter that dwelling-house without the consent of the occupant except under the authority of a warrant issued under subsection (1.2).

  • Marginal note:Authority to issue warrant

    (1.2) Where on ex parte application a justice of the peace is satisfied by information on oath

    • (a) that the conditions for entry described in subsection (1) exist in relation to a dwelling-house,

    • (b) that entry to the dwelling-house is necessary for any purpose relating to the administration or enforcement of this Act, and

    • (c) that entry to the dwelling-house has been refused or that there are reasonable grounds for believing that entry thereto will be refused,

    the justice of the peace may issue a warrant under his hand authorizing the inspector named therein to enter that dwelling-house subject to such conditions as may be specified in the warrant.

  • Marginal note:Use of force

    (1.3) In executing a warrant issued under subsection (1.2), the inspector named therein shall not use force unless the inspector is accompanied by a peace officer and the use of force has been specifically authorized in the warrant.

  • Definition of article to which this Act or the regulations apply

    (2) In subsection (1), article to which this Act or the regulations apply includes

    • (a) any food, drug, cosmetic or device;

    • (b) anything used for the manufacture, preparation, preservation, packaging or storing thereof; and

    • (c) any labelling or advertising material.

  • Marginal note:Assistance and information to be given inspector

    (3) The owner or person in charge of a place entered by an inspector pursuant to subsection (1) and every person found therein shall give the inspector all reasonable assistance and furnish the inspector with any information he may reasonably require.

  • R.S., 1985, c. F-27, s. 23
  • R.S., 1985, c. 31 (1st Supp.), s. 11, c. 27 (3rd Supp.), s. 2

Marginal note:Obstruction and false statements

  •  (1) No person shall obstruct or hinder, or knowingly make any false or misleading statement either orally or in writing to, an inspector while the inspector is engaged in carrying out his duties or functions under this Act or the regulations.

  • Marginal note:Interference

    (2) Except with the authority of an inspector, no person shall remove, alter or interfere in any way with anything seized under this Part.

  • R.S., c. F-27, ss. 22, 37

Marginal note:Storage and removal

 Any article seized under this Part may, at the option of an inspector, be kept or stored in the building or place where it was seized or, at the direction of an inspector, the article may be removed to any other proper place.

  • R.S., c. F-27, ss. 22, 37

Marginal note:Release of seized articles

 An inspector who has seized any article under this Part shall release it when he is satisfied that all the provisions of this Act and the regulations with respect thereto have been complied with.

  • R.S., c. F-27, ss. 23, 37

Marginal note:Destruction with consent

  •  (1) Where an inspector has seized an article under this Part and its owner or the person in whose possession the article was at the time of seizure consents to its destruction, the article is thereupon forfeited to Her Majesty and may be destroyed or otherwise disposed of as the Minister or the Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food may direct.

  • Marginal note:Forfeiture

    (2) Where a person has been convicted of a contravention of this Act or the regulations, the court or judge may order that any article by means of or in relation to which the offence was committed, and any thing of a similar nature belonging to or in the possession of the person or found with the article, be forfeited. On the making of the order, the article and thing are forfeited to Her Majesty and may be disposed of as the Minister or the Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food may direct.

  • Marginal note:Order for forfeiture on application of inspector

    (3) Without prejudice to subsection (2), a judge of a superior court of the province in which any article is seized under this Part may, on the application of an inspector and on such notice to such persons as the judge directs, order that the article and any thing of a similar nature found with it be forfeited to Her Majesty, if the judge finds, after making such inquiry as the judge considers necessary, that the article is one by means of or in relation to which any of the provisions of this Act or the regulations have been contravened. On the making of the order, the article or thing may be disposed of as the Minister or the Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food may direct.

  • R.S., 1985, c. F-27, s. 27
  • 1992, c. 1, s. 145(F)
  • 1994, c. 38, s. 19
  • 1995, c. 1, s. 62
  • 1996, c. 8, s. 23.2
  • 1997, c. 6, s. 64

Analysis

Marginal note:Analysts

 The Minister may designate any person as an analyst for the purpose of the enforcement of this Act.

  • 1980-81-82-83, c. 47, s. 19

Marginal note:Analysis and examination

  •  (1) An inspector may submit to an analyst, for analysis or examination, any article seized by the inspector, any sample therefrom or any sample taken by the inspector.

  • Marginal note:Certificate or report

    (2) An analyst who has made an analysis or examination may issue a certificate or report setting out the results of the analysis or examination.

  • R.S., c. F-27, s. 24

Regulations

Marginal note:Regulations

  •  (1) The Governor in Council may make regulations for carrying the purposes and provisions of this Act into effect, and, in particular, but without restricting the generality of the foregoing, may make regulations

    • (a) declaring that any food or drug or class of food or drugs is adulterated if any prescribed substance or class of substances is present therein or has been added thereto or extracted or omitted therefrom;

    • (b) respecting

      • (i) the labelling and packaging and the offering, exposing and advertising for sale of food, drugs, cosmetics and devices,

      • (ii) the size, dimensions, fill and other specifications of packages of food, drugs, cosmetics and devices,

      • (iii) the sale or the conditions of sale of any food, drug, cosmetic or device, and

      • (iv) the use of any substance as an ingredient in any food, drug, cosmetic or device,

      to prevent the purchaser or consumer thereof from being deceived or misled in respect of the design, construction, performance, intended use, quantity, character, value, composition, merit or safety thereof, or to prevent injury to the health of the purchaser or consumer;

    • (c) prescribing standards of composition, strength, potency, purity, quality or other property of any article of food, drug, cosmetic or device;

    • (d) respecting the importation of foods, drugs, cosmetics and devices in order to ensure compliance with this Act and the regulations;

    • (e) respecting the method of manufacture, preparation, preserving, packing, storing and testing of any food, drug, cosmetic or device in the interest of, or for the prevention of injury to, the health of the purchaser or consumer;

    • (f) requiring persons who sell food, drugs, cosmetics or devices to maintain such books and records as the Governor in Council considers necessary for the proper enforcement and administration of this Act and the regulations;

    • (g) respecting the form and manner of the Minister’s indication under section 12, including the fees payable therefor, and prescribing what premises or what processes or conditions of manufacture, including qualifications of technical staff, shall or shall not be deemed to be suitable for the purposes of that section;

    • (h) requiring manufacturers of any drugs described in Schedule E to submit test portions of any batch of those drugs and respecting the form and manner of the Minister’s indication under section 13, including the fees payable therefor;

    • (i) respecting the powers and duties of inspectors and analysts and the taking of samples and the seizure, detention, forfeiture and disposition of articles;

    • (j) exempting any food, drug, cosmetic or device from all or any of the provisions of this Act and prescribing the conditions of the exemption;

    • (k) prescribing forms for the purposes of this Act and the regulations;

    • (l) providing for the analysis of food, drugs or cosmetics other than for the purposes of this Act and prescribing a tariff of fees to be paid for that analysis;

    • (l.1) respecting the assessment of the effect on the environment or on human life and health of the release into the environment of any food, drug, cosmetic or device, and the measures to take before importing or selling any such food, drug, cosmetic or device;

    • (m) adding anything to any of the schedules, in the interest of, or for the prevention of injury to, the health of the purchaser or consumer, or deleting anything therefrom;

    • (n) respecting the distribution or the conditions of distribution of samples of any drug;

    • (o) respecting

      • (i) the method of manufacture, preparation, preserving, packing, labelling, storing and testing of any new drug, and

      • (ii) the sale or the conditions of sale of any new drug,

      and defining for the purposes of this Act the expression new drug; and

    • (p) authorizing the advertising to the general public of contraceptive devices and drugs manufactured, sold or represented for use in the prevention of conception and prescribing the circumstances and conditions under which, and the persons by whom, those devices and drugs may be so advertised.

  • Marginal note:Regulations respecting drugs manufactured outside Canada

    (2) Without limiting or restricting the authority conferred by any other provisions of this Act or any Part thereof for carrying into effect the purposes and provisions of this Act or any Part thereof, the Governor in Council may make such regulations governing, regulating or prohibiting

    • (a) the importation into Canada of any drug or class of drugs manufactured outside Canada, or

    • (b) the distribution or sale in Canada, or the offering, exposing or having in possession for sale in Canada, of any drug or class of drugs manufactured outside Canada,

    as the Governor in Council deems necessary for the protection of the public in relation to the safety and quality of any such drug or class of drugs.

  • Marginal note:Regulations re the North American Free Trade Agreement and WTO Agreement

    (3) Without limiting or restricting the authority conferred by any other provisions of this Act or any Part thereof for carrying into effect the purposes and provisions of this Act or any Part thereof, the Governor in Council may make such regulations as the Governor in Council deems necessary for the purpose of implementing, in relation to drugs, Article 1711 of the North American Free Trade Agreement or paragraph 3 of Article 39 of the Agreement on Trade-related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights set out in Annex 1C to the WTO Agreement.

  • Marginal note:Definitions

    (4) In subsection (3),

    North American Free Trade Agreement

    Accord de libre-échange nord-américain

    North American Free Trade Agreement has the meaning given to the word “Agreement” by subsection 2(1) of the North American Free Trade Agreement Implementation Act; (Accord de libre-échange nord-américain)

    WTO Agreement

    Accord sur l’OMC

    WTO Agreement has the meaning given to the word “Agreement” by subsection 2(1) of the World Trade Organization Agreement Implementation Act. (Accord sur l’OMC)

  • R.S., 1985, c. F-27, s. 30
  • 1993, c. 44, s. 158
  • 1994, c. 47, s. 117
  • 1999, c. 33, s. 347

Interim Orders

Marginal note:Interim orders

  •  (1) The Minister may make an interim order that contains any provision that may be contained in a regulation made under this Act if the Minister believes that immediate action is required to deal with a significant risk, direct or indirect, to health, safety or the environment.

  • Marginal note:Cessation of effect

    (2) An interim order has effect from the time that it is made but ceases to have effect on the earliest of

    • (a) 14 days after it is made, unless it is approved by the Governor in Council,

    • (b) the day on which it is repealed,

    • (c) the day on which a regulation made under this Act, that has the same effect as the interim order, comes into force, and

    • (d) one year after the interim order is made or any shorter period that may be specified in the interim order.

  • Marginal note:Contravention of unpublished order

    (3) No person shall be convicted of an offence consisting of a contravention of an interim order that, at the time of the alleged contravention, had not been published in the Canada Gazette unless it is proved that, at the time of the alleged contravention, the person had been notified of the interim order or reasonable steps had been taken to bring the purport of the interim order to the notice of those persons likely to be affected by it.

  • Marginal note:Exemption from Statutory Instruments Act

    (4) An interim order

  • Marginal note:Deeming

    (5) For the purpose of any provision of this Act other than this section, any reference to regulations made under this Act is deemed to include interim orders, and any reference to a regulation made under a specified provision of this Act is deemed to include a reference to the portion of an interim order containing any provision that may be contained in a regulation made under the specified provision.

  • Marginal note:Tabling of order

    (6) A copy of each interim order must be tabled in each House of Parliament within 15 days after it is made.

  • Marginal note:House not sitting

    (7) In order to comply with subsection (6), the interim order may be sent to the Clerk of the House if the House is not sitting.

  • 2004, c. 15, s. 66

Offences and Punishment

Marginal note:Contravention of Act or regulations

 Subject to section 31.1, every person who contravenes any of the provisions of this Act or of the regulations made under this Part is guilty of an offence and liable

  • (a) on summary conviction for a first offence to a fine not exceeding five hundred dollars or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding three months or to both and, for a subsequent offence, to a fine not exceeding one thousand dollars or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding six months or to both; and

  • (b) on conviction on indictment to a fine not exceeding five thousand dollars or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding three years or to both.

  • R.S., 1985, c. F-27, s. 31
  • 1996, c. 19, s. 77
  • 1997, c. 6, ss. 65, 91

Marginal note:Offences relating to food

 Every person who contravenes any provision of this Act or the regulations, as it relates to food, is guilty of an offence and liable

  • (a) on summary conviction, to a fine not exceeding $50,000 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding six months or to both; or

  • (b) on conviction by indictment, to a fine not exceeding $250,000 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding three years or to both.

  • 1997, c. 6, s. 66

Marginal note:Limitation period

  •  (1) A prosecution for a summary conviction offence under this Act may be instituted at any time within two years after the time the subject-matter of the prosecution becomes known to the Minister or, in the case of a contravention of a provision of the Act that relates to food, to the Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food.

  • Marginal note:Minister’s certificate

    (2) A document purporting to have been issued by the Minister referred to in subsection (1), certifying the day on which the subject-matter of any prosecution became known to the Minister, is admissible in evidence without proof of the signature or official character of the person appearing to have signed the document and is evidence of the matters asserted in it.

  • R.S., 1985, c. F-27, s. 32
  • 1997, c. 6, s. 66

Marginal note:Venue

 A prosecution for a contravention of this Act or the regulations may be instituted, heard, tried or determined in the place in which the offence was committed or the subject-matter of the prosecution arose or in any place in which the accused is apprehended or happens to be.

  • R.S., c. F-27, s. 28

Marginal note:Want of knowledge

  •  (1) Subject to subsection (2), in a prosecution for the sale of any article in contravention of this Act, except Parts III and IV, or of the regulations made under this Part, if the accused proves to the satisfaction of the court or judge that

    • (a) the accused purchased the article from another person in packaged form and sold it in the same package and in the same condition the article was in at the time it was so purchased, and

    • (b) that the accused could not with reasonable diligence have ascertained that the sale of the article would be in contravention of this Act or the regulations,

    the accused shall be acquitted.

  • Marginal note:Notice of reliance on want of knowledge

    (2) Subsection (1) does not apply in any prosecution unless the accused, at least ten days before the day fixed for the trial, has given to the prosecutor notice in writing that the accused intends to avail himself of the provisions of subsection (1) and has disclosed to the prosecutor the name and address of the person from whom the accused purchased the article and the date of purchase.

  • R.S., c. F-27, ss. 29, 39, 46

Marginal note:Certificate of analyst

  •  (1) Subject to this section, in any prosecution for an offence under section 31, a certificate purporting to be signed by an analyst and stating that an article, sample or substance has been submitted to, and analysed or examined by, the analyst and stating the results of the analysis or examination is admissible in evidence and, in the absence of evidence to the contrary, is proof of the statements contained in the certificate without proof of the signature or official character of the person appearing to have signed it.

  • Marginal note:Requiring attendance of analyst

    (2) The party against whom a certificate of an analyst is produced pursuant to subsection (1) may, with leave of the court, require the attendance of the analyst for the purposes of cross-examination.

  • Marginal note:Notice of intention to produce certificate

    (3) No certificate shall be admitted in evidence pursuant to subsection (1) unless, before the trial, the party intending to produce the certificate has given reasonable notice of that intention, together with a copy of the certificate, to the party against whom it is intended to be produced.

  • Marginal note:Proof of service

    (4) For the purposes of this Act, service of any certificate referred to in subsection (1) may be proved by oral evidence given under oath by, or by the affidavit or solemn declaration of, the person claiming to have served it.

  • Marginal note:Attendance for examination

    (5) Notwithstanding subsection (4), the court may require the person who appears to have signed an affidavit or solemn declaration referred to in that subsection to appear before it for examination or cross-examination in respect of the issue of proof of service.

  • R.S., 1985, c. F-27, s. 35
  • R.S., 1985, c. 27 (1st Supp.), s. 192
  • 1996, c. 19, s. 78

Marginal note:Proof as to manufacturer or packager

  •  (1) In a prosecution for a contravention of this Act or of the regulations made under this Part, proof that a package containing any article to which this Act or the regulations apply bore a name or address purporting to be the name or address of the person by whom it was manufactured or packaged is, in the absence of evidence to the contrary, proof that the article was manufactured or packaged, as the case may be, by the person whose name or address appeared on the package.

  • Marginal note:Offence by employee or agent

    (2) In a prosecution for a contravention described in subsection (1), it is sufficient proof of the offence to establish that it was committed by an employee or agent of the accused whether or not the employee or agent is identified or has been prosecuted for the offence.

  • Marginal note:Certified copies and extracts

    (3) In a prosecution for a contravention described in subsection (1), a copy of a record or an extract therefrom certified to be a true copy by the inspector who made it pursuant to paragraph 23(1)(c) is admissible in evidence and is, in the absence of evidence to the contrary, proof of its contents.

  • Marginal note:Where accused had adulterating substances

    (4) Where a person is prosecuted under this Part for having manufactured an adulterated food or drug for sale, and it is established that the person had in his possession or on his premises any substance the addition of which to that food or drug has been declared by regulation to cause the adulteration of the food or drug, the onus of proving that the food or drug was not adulterated by the addition of that substance lies on the accused.

  • R.S., 1985, c. F-27, s. 36
  • 1996, c. 19, s. 79

Exports

Marginal note:Conditions under which exports exempt

  •  (1) This Act does not apply to any packaged food, drug, cosmetic or device, not manufactured for consumption in Canada and not sold for consumption in Canada, if the package is marked in distinct overprinting with the word “Export” or “Exportation” and a certificate that the package and its contents do not contravene any known requirement of the law of the country to which it is or is about to be consigned has been issued in respect of the package and its contents in prescribed form and manner.

  • (2) [Repealed, 1996, c. 19, s. 80]

  • R.S., 1985, c. F-27, s. 37
  • 1993, c. 34, s. 73
  • 1996, c. 19, s. 80

PARTS III AND IV[Repealed, 1996, c. 19, s. 81]

SCHEDULE A(Section 3)

  • Alcoholism

    Alcoolisme

  • Alopecia (except hereditary androgenetic alopecia)

    Alopécie (sauf l’alopécie androgénogénétique)

  • Anxiety state

    États d’angoisse

  • Appendicitis

    Appendicite

  • Arteriosclerosis

    Artériosclérose

  • Arthritis

    Arthrite

  • Asthma

    Asthme

  • Bladder disease

    Vessie (maladies)

  • Cancer

    Cancer

  • Convulsions

    Convulsions

  • Depression

    Dépression

  • Diabetes

    Diabète

  • Disease of the prostate

    Prostate (maladies)

  • Disorder of menstrual flow

    Troubles du flot menstruel

  • Dysentery

    Dysenterie

  • Edematous state

    Œdème

  • Epilepsy

    Épilepsie

  • Gall bladder disease

    Vésicule biliaire (maladies)

  • Gangrene

    Gangrène

  • Glaucoma

    Glaucome

  • Gout

    Goutte

  • Heart disease

    Coeur (maladies)

  • Hernia

    Hernie

  • Hypertension

    Hypertension

  • Hypotension

    Hypotension

  • Impetigo

    Impétigo

  • Kidney disease

    Reins (maladies)

  • Leukemia

    Leucémie

  • Liver disease (except hepatitis)

    Foie (maladies sauf l’hépatite)

  • Nausea and vomiting of pregnancy

    Nausées et vomissements de la grossesse

  • Obesity

    Obésité

  • Pleurisy

    Pleurésie

  • Rheumatic fever

    Rhumatisme articulaire aigu

  • Septicemia

    Septicémie

  • Sexual impotence

    Impuissance sexuelle

  • Thrombotic and Embolic disorders

    Maladies thrombotiques et embolies

  • Thyroid disease

    Glande thyroïdienne (affections)

  • Tumor

    Tumeurs

  • Ulcer of the gastro-intestinal tract

    Ulcères des voies gastro-intestinales

  • Venereal disease

    Maladies vénériennes

  • R.S., 1985, c. F-27, Sch. A
  • SOR/88-252
  • SOR/89-503
  • SOR/90-655
  • SOR/92-198
  • SOR/94-287
  • SOR/99-413, 414

SCHEDULE B(Section 10)

The most recent editions, including all errata, supplements, revisions and addenda, of the following standards:

Column IColumn II
ItemNameAbbreviation
1European Pharmacopoeia(Ph.Eur.)
2Pharmacopée française(Ph.F.)
3Pharmacopoeia Internationalis(Ph.I.)
4The British Pharmacopoeia(B.P.)
5The Canadian Formulary(C.F.)
6The National Formulary(N.F.)
7The Pharmaceutical Codex: Principles and Practices of Pharmaceuticals
8The United States Pharmacopoeia(U.S.P.)
  • R.S., 1985, c. F-27, Sch. B
  • SOR/85-276
  • SOR/89-315
  • SOR/90-160
  • SOR/94-288
  • SOR/95-530, s. 2
  • SOR/96-96

SCHEDULE C(Section 12)

  • Drugs, other than radionuclides, sold or represented for use in the preparation of radiopharmaceuticals

    Drogues...

  • Radiopharmaceuticals

    Produits pharmaceutiques radioactifs

  • R.S., c. F-27, Sch. C
  • SI/72-44
  • SI/76-1
  • SOR/79-237
  • SOR/81-195, 332
  • SOR/82-769

SCHEDULE D(Section 12)

  • Allergenic substances used for the treatment or diagnosis of allergic or immunological diseases

    Substances...

  • Anterior pituitary extracts

    Extraits hypophysaires (lobe antérieur)

  • Aprotinin

    Aprotinine

  • Blood and blood derivatives

    Sang et dérivés du sang

  • Cholecystokinin

    Cholécystokinine

  • Drugs obtained by recombinant DNA procedures

    Drogues obtenues...

  • Drugs, other than antibiotics, prepared from micro-organisms

    Drogues, sauf...

  • Glucagon

    Glucagon

  • Gonadotrophins

    Gonadotrophines

  • Human plasma collected by plasmapheresis

    Plasma...

  • Immunizing agents

    Agents immunisants

  • Insulin

    Insuline

  • Interferon

    Interféron

  • Monoclonal antibodies, their conjugates and derivatives

    Anticorps monoclonaux et leurs dérivés et conjugués

  • Secretin

    Sécrétine

  • Snake Venom

    Venin de serpent

  • Urokinase

    Urokinase

  • R.S., 1985, c. F-27, Sch. D
  • SOR/85-715, s. 1
  • SOR/89-177
  • SOR/93-64
  • SOR/97-560

SCHEDULE E(Section 13)

[There are no items in this Schedule.]

  • R.S., c. F-27, Sch. E
  • SOR/77-824
  • SOR/82-769

SCHEDULE F(Section 15)

[There are no items in this Schedule of the FOOD AND DRUGS ACT.]

  • R.S., c. F-27, Sch. F
  • SOR/84-566

SCHEDULES G AND H

[Repealed, 1996, c. 19, s. 82]


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