Media FAQs2018-01-03T14:38:33-05:00

All media inquiries should be directed to:

Heather Gale 
Executive Director
CanadaGAP Program
(613) 829-4711 Ext. 101
hgale@canadagap.ca

About CanadaGAP®
About food safety

About CanadaGAP®

What is CanadaGAP®?2018-01-03T14:19:31-05:00

CanadaGAP is a food safety program for fresh fruits and vegetables.

The program consists of national food safety standards and a certification system for produce suppliers. The program has received full Canadian Government Recognition, and is benchmarked to and recognized by the Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI). Two manuals, one specific to greenhouse operations, the second for other fruit and vegetable operations, have been designed for companies implementing Good Agricultural Practices (GAPs) in their production, packing and storage operations and for repackers and wholesalers implementing Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs) and HACCP programs. The program is also designed for fresh produce brokers implementing best practices in supplier management and product traceability. The program is based on HACCP (Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points) and undergoes a rigorous technical review and oversight by Canadian government officials.

The program is open to suppliers who need to demonstrate to their customers that they are meeting food safety requirements. Program participants are required to pass a third party audit specifically based on the CanadaGAP manuals.

January 3rd, 2018 at 02:19 pm
How did the CanadaGAP Program start?2023-03-29T19:18:08-04:00

CanadaGAP was founded by the Canadian Horticultural Council (CHC), now called the Fruit and Vegetable Growers of Canada (FVGC). A separate, not-for-profit corporation, CanAgPlus, was established in 2012 to oversee and operate the program independently from the national trade association (CHC). The requirements for the Canadian Produce Marketing Association (CPMA)’s Repacking and Wholesale Food Safety Program were integrated into CanadaGAP in 2013.

In the late 1990s, members of the CHC – the national association representing fresh fruit and vegetable growers – created an on-farm food safety program to respond to market demands for fresh produce suppliers to demonstrate vigilance about food safety.

The program is the result of years of work by industry representatives and technical experts from across Canada including producers, packers, repackers, wholesalers, and their customers. The industry has devoted its efforts to developing an effective food safety program that is practical, comprehensive and based on published, peer-reviewed science.

March 29th, 2023 at 07:18 pm
Who owns the CanadaGAP Program?2018-01-03T14:16:35-05:00

The CanadaGAP Program is owned and operated by CanAgPlus, a Canadian not-for-profit.

January 3rd, 2018 at 02:16 pm
Who is enrolled in the CanadaGAP Program?2018-01-03T14:15:27-05:00

Domestic (Canadian) and international suppliers of fresh fruit and vegetables are enrolled in the program. The program covers production, packing, storage, repacking, wholesaling and brokerage of fresh produce.

January 3rd, 2018 at 02:15 pm
Does CanadaGAP certify fruits and vegetables as “safe”?2020-03-16T12:11:31-04:00

No. CanadaGAP certification applies to the operation, not the product. Certification means that an operation meets the required food safety standard and is being maintained on an ongoing basis. This involves having a third party auditor come to the operation and review CanadaGAP manual(s) and related records, visit the facilities to observe activities, interview the operator and staff, and assess conformance to the program. The Certification Body reviews the results of the audit and makes the certification decision.

March 16th, 2020 at 12:11 pm
Is CanadaGAP a government program?2020-03-16T12:21:48-04:00

No. CanadaGAP is owned by CanAgPlus, a not-for-profit corporation. However, government has fully recognized the program for its technical standard and for effective management and delivery of the certification system. Each commodity-specific technical module, as well as the repacking and wholesaling requirements, the program management system, and the effectiveness of administration and delivery of audits, have undergone a technical review by a team of specialists from the federal and provincial governments. The program’s development was made possible by federal funding. The program is recognized by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) as a ‘model system’ for program participants needing to meet federal regulatory requirements for food safety.

March 16th, 2020 at 12:21 pm
What does it cost the producer to become certified?2023-03-31T13:36:44-04:00

The cost of certification ranges from approximately $1,000 to  $2,500 annually. Companies that enrol in the CanadaGAP program have various certification options. Costs vary depending on the certification option their customers require, the scope of their operation and where their facility is located. Visit our page on costs for more detailed information.

March 31st, 2023 at 01:36 pm
How do I arrange an interview with someone at CanadaGAP?2018-01-03T13:59:06-05:00

To arrange an interview, contact CanadaGAP Executive Director Heather Gale, at (613) 829-4711 Ext. 101 or hgale@canadagap.ca.

January 3rd, 2018 at 01:59 pm
How do I sign up to get CanadaGAP press releases and newsletters emailed to me?2018-01-03T13:56:26-05:00

To receive CanadaGAP press releases or newsletters by email, contact us at (613) 829-4711 or info@canadagap.ca.

January 3rd, 2018 at 01:56 pm
Can I obtain an image or logo to go with my story?2018-01-03T13:55:04-05:00

Yes. Contact Heather Gale at (613) 829-4711 Ext. 101 or hgale@canadagap.ca.

January 3rd, 2018 at 01:55 pm

About food safety

Why do we need a food safety program for fresh fruits and vegetables?2018-01-03T14:14:35-05:00

The CanadaGAP Program responds to the needs of the marketplace. Increasingly, retailers, food service companies and food processors require their suppliers to be enrolled in and/or certified to a food safety program.

Several Canadian food companies have officially endorsed the CanadaGAP Program standards and are requiring their growers to be CanadaGAP-certified (or to participate in a similar certification program). These include Metro, Loblaw Companies Limited, Wal-mart, McCain Foods Canada, Simplot Canada, Lamb-Weston and Cavendish, among others.

January 3rd, 2018 at 02:14 pm
Does CanadaGAP certify fruits and vegetables as “safe”?2020-03-16T12:11:31-04:00

No. CanadaGAP certification applies to the operation, not the product. Certification means that an operation meets the required food safety standard and is being maintained on an ongoing basis. This involves having a third party auditor come to the operation and review CanadaGAP manual(s) and related records, visit the facilities to observe activities, interview the operator and staff, and assess conformance to the program. The Certification Body reviews the results of the audit and makes the certification decision.

March 16th, 2020 at 12:11 pm
Is produce not as safe as it used to be?2020-03-16T12:14:17-04:00

Canadians consume 50 billion servings of fresh produce annually and the number of outbreaks in a year is relatively low. When you consider how much fresh produce is consumed and the very small number of cases of food borne illness, Canadian consumers can feel confident that overall, fresh produce is safe and healthy.

As with any food product, if fresh produce is not handled properly, there is a risk that it can become contaminated and potentially cause illness. That is why safety programs have been developed throughout the food supply chain, including consumer awareness programs.

Consumers too have a role to play in protecting the safety of their food through proper storage and handling. Examples include:

  • keeping fresh produce separate from other items such as fresh meat, poultry or seafood to prevent cross-contamination
  • washing your hands when preparing fresh produce
  • using different tools (e.g., knives, cutting boards, etc.) with fresh produce than are used to prepare other raw foods
  • ensuring tools, surfaces, utensils, dishes, etc. are cleaned properly during preparation and storage of fresh produce

March 16th, 2020 at 12:14 pm
Why have there been so many outbreaks? Are the number of outbreaks increasing and if so, why?2018-01-03T14:09:02-05:00

It is true that there are more reported cases of food borne illness.

One reason that we have more reported cases and outbreaks is that awareness has increased and members of the public and medical professionals now recognize food borne illness more frequently when it occurs.

There is more testing of produce at the federal and provincial levels, more testing of people who become ill and better methods for data collection, reporting and trace-back, especially in the United States. All these factors contribute to greater numbers of cases being detected and reported.

January 3rd, 2018 at 02:09 pm
Is imported produce safe? Is Canadian produce safer?2020-03-16T12:17:23-04:00

Canada’s food safety system includes measures to protect the safety of both imported food and food that is produced in Canada.

Health Canada establishes Canada’s food safety standards and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) is responsible for enforcement. The standards apply to all foods sold in Canada, no matter what their origin is.

Both the Canadian government and the food industry agree that imported products should adhere to the same high safety standards that Canadian producers follow. Regulations and programs are in development or in place around the world to move towards global standards for food safety. The federal government has enacted food safety legislation in recent years: the Safe Food for Canadians Act and Regulations. These laws apply to all foods sold interprovincially, imported or exported.

March 16th, 2020 at 12:17 pm
How does CanadaGAP compare to other food safety programs around the world?2018-01-03T14:01:31-05:00

CanadaGAP was the first Canadian food safety program to be internationally recognized by the Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI). In May 2010 GFSI formally benchmarked and recognized CanadaGAP certification options B and C as meeting international requirements for food safety. In 2016, GFSI also formally benchmarked and recognized option D for repacking and wholesaling. For more information about GFSI and the benchmarking process, visit www.mygfsi.com.

Through the benchmarking process CanadaGAP has established equivalent status to other internationally recognized food safety programs, such as SQF, PrimusGFS and GLOBALG.A.P. (food safety elements only). These efforts position CanadaGAP-certified companies to remain competitive and use a unique, made-in Canada program that is specifically designed for the produce industry to meet international customer demands.

January 3rd, 2018 at 02:01 pm
Can I get comments on a food safety-related issue from an expert at CanadaGAP?2018-01-03T13:58:14-05:00

CanadaGAP can comment on some issues directly related to food safety for fresh fruit and vegetables in Canada. CanadaGAP is not a regulatory body and does not speak on behalf of federal or provincial governments, nor does it lobby governments on behalf of the fresh produce industry.

January 3rd, 2018 at 01:58 pm

January 3rd, 2018 at 02:38 pm
Go to Top