Canadians are very fortunate to enjoy an unprecedented choice in their stores and supermarkets.

With trading partners from all over the world, Canadian families have wider access to more food and products than at any time in history. Unfortunately, Canada’s product safety laws have not kept up with the times.

Canadians are understandably upset when they hear about California spinach infected with E. coli bacteria, children’s toys that contain toxic levels of lead, or toothpaste made with the same ingredient found in antifreeze and brake fluid. Our government came to office determined to right these wrongs. You can’t make up for decades of neglect overnight, but in consultation with Canadian families and businesses, we have created tough, new laws to safeguard consumers.

We are also pushing forward new product safety laws that will hold importers and manufacturers responsible for products that will be sold in Canada. Every product on Canadian shelves must adhere to Canadian standards, regardless of where they were made.

There were initial concerns that some natural health products could be deemed unsuitable under the proposed legislation. The minister of health has assured Canadians that these products will not be adversely affected, unless a product’s stated benefits are false, such as claiming to be a cure for cancer.

In addition, our government is tightening up the definition of “made-in-Canada.” Under the old rules, if apple sauce was bottled in Canada but the apples were grown in China, Europe or the United States, the label could still claim the product was “made in Canada.” Consumers were duped into believing that it was a wholly Canadian product. Under our new rules, manufacturers must adhere to a tough new standard to earn the title of “product of Canada.”

In the worst cases, the federal government will have the authority to pull specific products from store shelves when a company fails to act on safety concerns. Most importantly, we are bringing a new culture to the way the government treats health issues. We are taking a zero-tolerance approach to potentially dangerous products, particularly products that might come into contact with children.

When scientists raised concerns about the potential health impact of a chemical known as bisphenol A on young children and newborns, our government banned the importation, sale and advertising of baby bottles that contained this chemical.

We are also providing Canadians with more information than ever before. We launched a new product safety web site at www.healthycanadians.ca that allows Canadians to learn the moment a potentially unsafe consumer product is identified, and much more. The government can’t make healthy choices for you, but we can help you find the best health solutions to enhance your lifestyle.

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The audio version of Garry's August 11, 2008 op-ed column can be heard by clicking here