Forty-six per cent of Canadians say they can tell if food might cause food poisoning or other illness by looking at it, or smelling it. One third of Torontonians place responsibility on government for food safety, significantly higher than any other city. About a third of both Atlantic Canadians and Albertans say consumers are responsible. British Columbians say responsibility is shared. Canadians list bacteria as the most serious health hazard, but a close second and third are pesticides and environmental pollution.
Food additives are also a serious concern.
When prompted, respondents to the food survey showed a high level of awareness of the hazards of eating partially cooked chicken, or chopping vegetables on the same cooking board as uncooked chicken. But they were confused about most other potential dangers. 88 per cent of Canadians say they have never had foodborne illness. The food survey, completed in April by the polling firm Environics, is based on interviews in the homes of 2,013 Canadians. The Canadian Food Inspection Agency is asking that sesame rice balls bought from Golden Happiness Frozen Foods Ltd., a division of Golden Happiness Bakery in Calgary, be returned to the store they were purchased from.