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Health Canada is publishing research and regulatory documents through a controversial Croatian online publisher — a practice that bypasses one step in normal science procedure and is leaving some independent scientists puzzled.

Typically, scientists announce their findings by publishing in an independent journal. Journals provide a layer of independent evaluation for research, known as peer review.

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This journal, however, applies an unusual method of peer review: It lets Health Canada review some of its own articles, a self-auditing process that staff at other journals say they never allow.

The Croatian publisher, InTech Open Access, and the journal, the International Food Risk Analysis Journal, seem to have a close relationship with Health Canada.

Of three joint editors-in-chief, two are from Health Canada: the director general of the food directorate, Samuel Godefroy, and Sebastien La Vieille. The journal also displays the prestigious Canadian flag logo with Health Canada’s name on its home page, even though the journal is a private business.