Canadian associations integrate food safety programs

The Canadian Horticultural Council (CHC) and Canadian Produce Marketing Association (CPMA) will integrate the CanadaGAP (On-Farm Food Safety) Program and the CPMA Repacking and Wholesale Food Safety Program (RWFSP).
 
Both the CHC and CPMA Boards of Directors approved the integration initiative during their respective annual meetings earlier this year.
 
Several benefits will result from integrating the two programs, including adopting an industry-wide food safety system that meets customer requirements; lessening confusion around overlapping programs ore requirements; meeting the needs of companies that pack and re-pack product and more.
 
A formal study was undertaken in 2010 to examine the feasibility of the joint venture. The study concluded this was a feasible initiative. The two programs will be integrated under an autonomous corporate entity that will function independently of both CHC and CPMA.
 
Work on this initiative will continue through 2012 and 2013, with funding assistance from Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada through the Canadian Integrated Food Safety Initiative under Growing Forward. The integrated program could be available by 2013 or 2014.

To learn more about the integration, click here, or contact Heather Gale, CanadaGAP National Program Manager, at offs@hortcouncil.ca.