HALIFAX, Nova Scotia – The Canadian government is investing more than C$415,000 ($420,142) in the Canadian Trucking Alliance (CTA) as part of an initiative aimed at ensuring proper handling and reducing the risk of food contamination during transport.

The funds will go toward updates to the CTA’s existing Trucking Food Safety Program to include current food safety standards, regulations and practices. A new audit and certification process and a user-friendly online system are also among planned improvements.

"Canadian farmers produce safe, high-quality food, and our trucking industry ensures these products are enjoyed on tables here at home and around the world," said Peter MacKay, Minister of National Defense and MP for Nova Scotia. "This Growing Forward investment will enable the Canadian Trucking Alliance to stay on the cutting edge of safe food handling practices and is a great example of the kind of strategic initiatives that Growing Forward 2 will support in the years to come."