CanadaGAP certification2017-11-27T10:12:09-05:00
Which CanadaGAP certification option should an operation choose?2022-01-25T13:42:57-05:00

The CanadaGAP program has a variety of certification options to satisfy the wide range of buyer expectations and to respond to different market requirements.

If… … then an operation should choose:
A customer is requiring a GFSI-recognized program… Option B, C, or D, all of which have been formally benchmarked to and approved by GFSI.

Option B: Group certification

Option C: Individual supplier involved in production, packing or storage.

Option D: Individual repacking or wholesaling operation

A customer is requiring an annual audit but does NOT require a GFSI-recognized certificate… An operation should choose:

  • Option E for an individual supplier involved in production, packing or storage
  • Option F for repacking, wholesaling or brokerage.
A customer accepts the four-year audit cycle and does not require a GFSI-recognized certificate… An operation should choose:

  • Option A1
  • Option A2

Check with your customer whether one of these options is preferred over another.

An operation is repacking and wholesaling… Either:

  • Option D (GFSI-recognized)
    or
  • Option F (not GFSI-recognized).
An operation is involved in brokerage… Option F.

More detailed information on each of the options is available here.

January 25th, 2022 at 01:42 pm
How does an operation become certified?2020-03-12T12:56:25-04:00

Step 1 is to have a food safety program in place and at least three months of records. To download the CanadaGAP manual(s), click here.

Step 2 is to enrol in the program through CanadaGAP. Click here for the enrolment form, or contact the CanadaGAP office. Program participants will be required to pass a third party audit specifically based on the CanadaGAP manuals. The audit will be performed by a qualified, third party auditor who will be trained using CanadaGAP-specific materials to understand and assess a supplier’s compliance with the CanadaGAP food safety requirements. The audit service is provided by an independent Certification Body.

March 12th, 2020 at 12:56 pm
Who needs to be CanadaGAP®-certified?2020-03-31T09:44:20-04:00

The certification program is open to companies involved in production, handling and brokerage of fresh fruits and vegetables who need to demonstrate to their customers that they are implementing food safety programs and/or following the CanadaGAP manuals. Buyers may be asking specifically for CanadaGAP certification, in which case operations should enrol. If an operation is not sure exactly what is required, they should contact their customer(s). A number of buyers have endorsed the CanadaGAP Program (along with other food safety programs that are recognized by GFSI), such as Metro, Loblaw Companies Limited, Wal-mart, McCain Foods Canada, Simplot Canada, Lamb-Weston, Cavendish, etc.).

March 31st, 2020 at 09:44 am
We need a food safety expert to help us implement our CanadaGAP program. Does CanadaGAP provide consulting services or publish a list of recommended consultants?2018-11-20T13:16:20-05:00

CanadaGAP does not provide technical consulting services to individual operations.

CanadaGAP does not recommend specific consultants. There are many who offer services across the country, and we are not familiar with the quality of their work.

We suggest you try the following to locate a suitable expert:

  • Do an Internet search for “food safety consultant” or “CanadaGAP consultant” to find someone in your local area who offers help with food safety program implementation
  • Ask your provincial or regional trade association (e.g., producers’ association)
  • Contact your provincial or territorial government contacts/services. Some offer technical services directly, or they may publish a list of experts in your area (e.g., technical advisors, qualified agronomists, consultants, etc.).
  • Reach out to your certification body. Some CanadaGAP certification bodies have consulting arms of their business, staffed by experts who offer implementation assistance, pre-audits, etc.
  • Seek recommendations from other producers who have used consultants.

It is advisable to ask potential consultants for references, and to check those references. Some service providers claim to have expertise but may not necessarily be qualified.

November 20th, 2018 at 01:16 pm
What does the CanadaGAP Program Management Manual contain and how does it apply to program participants?2021-04-19T13:25:16-04:00

The CanadaGAP Program Management Manual describes how the certification program works, and includes information about auditor and certification body requirements. Details can be found in this document relative to audit timing, scope of certification, certificate validity, multi-site certification, certification body transfers, and other topics related to management of the certification program. Rules for certification to Option B are detailed in Appendix III.1. Guidance for certification bodies on scoping and managing audits at complex operations is contained in Appendix III.2. More information is provided in this FAQ.

Click here to access the document (Component 3).

April 19th, 2021 at 01:25 pm

November 27th, 2017 at 10:12 am
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