CanadaGAP

CanadaGAP, a preventive program based on Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP), uses science-based measures to help ensure food safety of fresh fruits and vegetables. It is the first food safety program in Canada to be benchmarked to the Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI), and NSF is one of only a few certification bodies with ISO 17065 accreditation to offer CanadaGAP (v10.0 of the Food Safety Manual, v.10.1 of the Program Management Manual).

Several large Canadian retailers and food processors require CanadaGAP certification for their growers.

To become certified, participants must comply with food safety requirements developed by the horticultural industry and reviewed for technical soundness by Canadian government officials. The operation must also undergo and successfully complete on-farm audits.

CanadaGAP certification applies to fresh fruits and vegetables. This includes potatoes, leafy vegetables and cruciferae, small fruit (i.e. berries), tree and vine fruit, and combined vegetable (i.e. asparagus, sweet corn, legumes, bulb and root vegetables, fruiting vegetables). The standard covers:

• Production: Field and greenhouse activities
• Packing: The first time that harvested products are put in packaging materials
• Storage: Before packing, including standalone storage facilities
• Repacking: Removing packed product from packaging and repacking it into market-ready packaging materials (may include sorting and grading activities)
• Wholesale: Storage and selling of market product
• Brokerage: Arranging the transaction of produce between a supplier and a buyer

Technical requirements are the same for all options. The differences are the number of organizations certifying, the frequency and type of audits, and the level of recognition.

• Option A1: Four year audit cycle (fixed) – not GFSI-recognized
• Option A2: Four year audit cycle (variable) – not GFSI-recognized
• Option B: Group Certification (GFSI recognized)
• Option C: Annual On-site Audit of Production, Packing or Storage (GFSI-recognized)
• Option D: Annual On-site Audit of Repacking or Wholesaling operations (GFSI-recognized))
• Option E: Annual On-site Audit of Production, Packing or Storage (not GFSI-recognized)
• Option F: Annual On-site Audit or Repacking, Wholesaling or Brokerage (not GFSI-recognized)