Option D certification for Repacking and Wholesaling operations entails an annual on-site audit by a CanadaGAP®-licensed Certification Body. Requirements for repacking and wholesale are incorporated into the CanadaGAP manuals. Users apply the requirements only from the sections of the manual that are relevant to them. The addition of requirements for repacking and wholesale creates a seamless program for those whose operations may be vertically integrated. The availability of Option D ensures consistency in food safety requirements across the supply chain.

Repacking and Wholesaling operations must develop and maintain a site-specific HACCP Plan. A generic HACCP model is available from CanadaGAP, as is guidance on creating a HACCP Plan.  Option D certification includes an Annual Audit on-site and meets all GFSI requirements.

The repacking and wholesale requirements are based on the CPMA Repacking and Wholesale Food Safety Program, which was technically reviewed and deemed sound by federal and provincial governments.

Annual on-site audits may be replaced by unannounced audits.

The Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI) has formally benchmarked and recognizes certification option D as meeting international requirements for food safety. 

Scope

Option D certification is available for the repacking and wholesaling of all fresh fruits and vegetables except for fresh sprouts, repacking of enoki mushrooms, fresh fruits and vegetables in hermetically sealed containers and minimally processed fruits and vegetables.

Who should choose Option D?

Choose Option D if your company:

  • Repacks fresh fruits and vegetables.
  • Wholesales (i.e., stores) product in market ready packaging materials and does not do any packing/repacking.
  • Handles (e.g., receives, sorts, grades, stores, repacks, etc.) imported product (e.g., citrus, avocado, tropical fruit, etc.).
  • Repacks or wholesales other fruits and vegetables that are outside of CanadaGAP’s scope for production, packing and storage.

NOTE: Option D (GFSI-recognized) certification is no longer be available to brokerage operations as of April 1, 2022. Brokerage operations should choose Option F. 

Cost Implications

Option D involves three cost components:

Paid by the program participant to CanadaGAP. The fee covers CanadaGAP’s costs to administer the program, process enrolment applications, maintain the technical standards and training materials, oversee Certification Bodies, pursue international benchmarking and maintain government recognition status, collect and analyse data, monitor developments in food safety science and media, offer technical support to the CBs, communicate to program participants, program marketing/education, office overhead, staff and related expenses.

Paid directly by the program participant to the Certification Body. Covers the CB’s cost to deliver audit and certification services including auditor’s time to perform audits, auditor travel time and expenses, technical review of audit reports, follow-up on corrective actions, issuing certificates, administration and office overhead, billing functions, etc. The cost of the audit varies somewhat depending on the scope, size and location of your operation and the duration of your audit.

Costs vary depending on location of the facility, closest available auditor, and proximity to other audit sites. Every effort will be made to schedule audits in such a way to minimize auditor travel expenses.

Is Option D recognized by GFSI?

GFSI recognition for Option D (Repacking and Wholesaling) was first achieved in 2016. Re-benchmarking of Option D occurs as necessary.

During the benchmarking process, the CanadaGAP program is rigorously reviewed by a group of experts to ensure that the food safety requirements as well as program delivery, certification and management systems are comparable to other recognized programs. CanadaGAP certification options B and C have also undergone benchmarking and are formally recognized by GFSI.

March 19th, 2025 at 02:03 pm