Canada proposes crackdown on food safety

Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper on Tuesday unleashed a proposed consumer safety bill that could force food manufacturers in the country to improve tracking of suppliers and processes.

Spurred on by a crisis in consumer confidence last year following the discovery of numerous contaminated food imports in North America, as well as hazardous consumer products, Harper's conservative government announced the proposed bill as a way as regaining consumer trust.

"It will improve our safety and our health, make Canadian brands more competitive among global consumers, and boost confidence at home as a country whose product safety standards are second to none," said Prime Minister Harper.

Among the bill's proposals are changes to the Food and Drugs Act - in particular the implementation of heftier fines for those found to have knowingly endangered consumers.