The CanadaGAP Program joins the food safety community worldwide to celebrate the 8th annual World Food Safety Day on June 7, 2026. The day is formally recognized by organizations such as the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the World Health Organization (WHO), and Codex. 
As a certification program designed to help implement and maintain effective food safety procedures within fresh produce operations, CanadaGAP is pleased to promote and support recognition of World Food Safety Day. This annual event is an opportunity to celebrate the importance of food safety for companies around the world who are committed to producing food safely every day.
Food safety has long been recognized as a shared responsibility between governments, industry and consumers. Yet it is estimated that foodborne illness continues to affect 1 in 10 people worldwide and 1 in 8 (4 million) Canadians each year. Everyone along the food supply chain has a role to play in food safety.
This year’s theme is “From burden to solutions – safe food everywhere” to highlight how data on illness, its burden and lost lives can guide action towards focused and cost-effective solutions:
- Unsafe food makes people sick, harms livelihoods and weakens economies
- No one should get sick from food – it is preventable today and always
- Science drives bold decisions and builds unshakeable public trust.
Food Safety Education Day in Canada
In conjunction with World Food Safety Day, the Canadian food industry, as represented by the Canadian Supply Chain Food Safety Coalition, has also declared
June 7, 2026 as the 2nd Annual Food Safety Education Day in Canada. As a Coalition member, CanadaGAP joins the national industry in recognizing the importance of food safety education. By encouraging learning and maintaining a strong focus on continuous improvement, the CanadaGAP program supports understanding of current food safety practices and requirements. Through its commitment to knowledge sharing and standardization, CanadaGAP strengthens food safety across the horticulture sector, reduces risk for program participants and builds trust with consumers and buyers of Canadian produce.
We encourage CanadaGAP-certified companies to take the opportunity on June 7 to showcase your efforts and to recognize all those within your company who contribute daily to a safe food supply.
- For further information on World Food Safety Day, please see: World Food Safety Day – website. From the website you can access resources such as the official poster, social media assets, and much more!
- For more information and to participate on Food Safety Education Day in Canada, please visit ca/en/priorities/.