Canada GAP
CanadaGAP™ is a food safety program for companies that produce, pack and store fruits and vegetables. It is designed to help implement effective food safety procedures within fresh produce operations and is based on a rigorous hazard analysis applying the seven principles of the internationally-recognized HACCP (Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point) approach.
Certification to the CanadaGAP™ Program offers the following benefits for companies whose customers are requiring them to be certified to a recognized food safety standard:
- Consistency of audits: The audit is based specifically on the requirements of the CanadaGAP manuals. There are no surprises or additional requirements. Auditors have to pass the CanadaGAP-specific training before they do on-site audits, ensuring they all start on the same footing and understand the realities of farming, field operations, packing and storage operations.
- Oversight of auditor performance: The auditors are monitored and overseen by the Certification Body, who also reviews all audit results and ensures the integrity of the assessments. Any complaints or disputes related to the audits will be handled by the Certification Body. Ongoing, regular review of auditor performance is required.
- Choice: Several different certification options are available, to suit different situations and buyer demands.
- Access to international markets: CanadaGAP certification options B and C have been benchmarked to, and officially recognized by the Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI). CanadaGAP-certified companies have the benefit of using a made-in-Canada program to meet the food safety requirements of the international marketplace.
For more information, visit www.canadagap.ca.
