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Quick links about Canada GAP:
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Find out more about the Canada GAP Program:
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Canada GAP is an
on-farm program for producers, packers and storage intermediaries of
horticultural crops. It is designed to help implement effective
food safety procedures in its operation.
Canada GAP Manuals are
based on the seven basic principles of the internationally-recognized
HACCP (Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point) approach. The Program is administered and delivered by the Canadian Horticultural Council, with audit and certification provided by QMI-SAI Global.
There are eight different commodity-specific modules in the Canada GAP Program:
- Asparagus, Sweet Corn and Legumes
- Bulb and Root Vegetables
- Fruiting Vegetables
- Greenhouse Production
- Leafy Vegetables and Cruciferae
- Potatoes
- Small Fruit
- Tree and Vine Fruit
Certification is available for all crop groupings.
What is Program Certification?
Certification is the term used by the CHC to describe the determination by a qualified authority that your operation meets the standard and is being maintained on an ongoing basis. This involves having an auditor from QMI-SAI Global, come to your operation to:
- Review your Canada GAP Manual(s) and related records,
- Visit your facilities and interview the operator and staff,
- Assess your conformance to the Canada GAP Audit Checklist.
Since the Audit Checklist covers all eight modules, multi-crop producers need only one audit. Once you pass the audit, you will be certified to the Program.
Certification indicates that you have in place in your operation a system of procedures to minimize the risk of contamination to product. QMI-SAI Global will certify your processes, not your product. The auditor gathers evidence to attest to the ongoing maintenance of your food safety system, rather than simply gaining a snapshot of your operation at a given point in time.
How do I enrol in the Program?
Those interested in being certified to the Program must enrol through the CHC. The application form is available on the
CHC web site or by contacting the CHC National Office.
Click here to read more information about the
audit and certification process.
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Option
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Description
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Components
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Implications
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A
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Four-Year Audit Cycle
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- On-Site Audit every 4 years
- Sworn Supplier Declarations and Self-Assessment Checklists the other 3 years
- Random Audits
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- Lowest cost option
- Meets government requirements for the Canada GAP Program recognition
- Rigorous approach based on international models/precedents
- Audit Activity every year
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B
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Group Certification
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- Internal Management System
- Internal Audits
- Random Sampling
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- Combines group and individual costs
- Based on GlobalGAP (Group Option)
- Rigorous approach
- Audit Activity every year
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C
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Benchmarking Option
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- Designed to meet international equivalency with GFSI - benchmarked programs
- Annual Audits (may combine full and partial audits - TBD)
- Higher cost to suppliers
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