1560; Understanding Food - Module 11

What do food governance institutions do?

They regulate production, safety, nutrition, and trade of food.

Why is food considered a public health issue?

Because it affects food security and food safety.

Because it affects food security and food safety.

Through land, labour, agricultural, trade, public health, safety, and environmental policies.

What is food governance?

The management of food production, processing, and public health concerns related to food.

Why do countries use trade barriers?

To protect domestic producers and control imports.

Give examples of trade barriers.

Tariffs, import bans, quotas, and subsidies.

What is the significance of the 1947 GATT and 1995 WTO?

They moved food from being an exception to a regular part of international trade with safety standards.

What are major international free-trade agreements/zones?

EU, NAFTA/CUSMA, CETA, CPTPP, TTIP.

What is food security?

The right to be free from hunger.

Which region has the highest food insecurity in Canada?

Nunavut, at 36.7%.

Which Canadian department oversees food governance?

Health Canada.

What was the aim of free-trade agreements?

To eliminate trade barriers.

Name the historical Canadian food guides.

Canada’s Food Rules (1942), Canada’s Food Guide (1961, 1992, 2007), Canada’s Food Guide (2019).

What is unique about the 2019 Canada’s Food Guide?

It recommends limiting highly processed foods and uses simple graphics.

Which Canadian act governs food safety?

The Canadian Food and Drugs Act (1985).

What is the CFIA?

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency, responsible for inspection and safety.

What did the Safe Food for Canadians Act (2012) do?

Consolidated food safety laws and strengthened traceability and protections.

Who has primary responsibility for food quality?

Producers.

What rights do consumers have regarding food?

The right to know what they are buying.

What are the main sustainability problems of the current food system?

Deforestation, biodiversity loss, soil degradation, pollution, and climate change.

What is the current state of the global food system?

Unsustainable.

What is the natural greenhouse effect?

It keeps Earth warm enough for life, otherwise it would be –17°C.

How has human activity affected the greenhouse effect?

It has increased GHGs, intensifying climate change.

Name major greenhouse gases.

Water vapour, CO₂, methane, N₂O, CFCs, and other fluorinated gases.

How does human activity alter the carbon cycle?

By moving carbon from geological to atmospheric compartments.

List climate change impacts on food systems.

Sea level rise, extreme weather, longer growing seasons, more pests, higher soil erosion.

What actions are needed to adapt food systems to climate change?

Reduce GHG emissions and switch to sustainable food production.

What did the USDA Food Pyramid recommend as the largest category?

Bread, pasta, and cereals.

What are the four main compartments of the carbon cycle?

Geological, terrestrial, atmospheric, and oceanic.

What are major human sources of methane (CH₄)?

Livestock farming and natural gas leaks.

What happened to food in global trade after the WTO was created in 1995?

Food began to be treated as a normal commodity in international trade.

Why was agriculture exempt from trade agreements before 1995?

Because it was considered essential for national security.

What changed about food after the WTO in 1995?

Food began to be treated as a normal commodity in global trade.

What were the major U.S. food guides over time?

Basic Seven, Food Pyramid, MyPyramid, and MyPlate.

What is the Canadian Food Inspection System (1998)?

A system created to coordinate food safety inspection across Canada.

What does the Canadian Food and Drugs Act regulate?

Tainted, mislabelled, and adulterated food, as well as import/export and sanitary storage.