CanadaGAP Changes Take Effect

A number of changes have impacted CanadaGAP certification which were effective on April 1, 2015. These include

1.     Brokers can now become CanadaGAP-certified. CanadaGAP certification Option D is available as of April 1, 2015 to fresh produce brokers seeking certification in response to customer requirements. The CanadaGAP manuals can now be used for brokerage operations implementing best practices in supplier management and product traceability.

2.     CanadaGAP-certified packers, repackers, brokers, storage and wholesale operators are required to source product from third-party audited/certified suppliers. Failure to comply with the new requirement will entail a loss of points on the audit checklist; this is not an autofail item. This change was communicated previously (July 22, 2014). 

3.     CanadaGAP audits will include a new, scored question regarding ongoing program maintenance. Certified companies are required to maintain their program, record-keeping, etc. on an ongoing basis (while in season) both before and after the audit. New procedures in Section 24 and a new question on the CanadaGAP audit will specifically address this requirement. The consequences of a company not maintaining their food safety program on a continuous basis will be a loss of points on the audit. The consequence of scoring 0/6 is that a follow-up audit will be triggered for later in the season, at the program participant's expense.

4.     Companies that fail the CanadaGAP audit will have 60 days to close out Corrective Action Requests. Once the audit report is received, corrective action must be taken and reported to the certification body within 60 days, or before the end of the season, whichever is sooner. This applies only to program participants who have not passed the audit (i.e., autofailed or scored below 80%). Failure to implement correction actions by the new deadline will result in the company not being certified, or in having certification withdrawn, and needing another audit. As determined by the certification body, provision can be made for a longer timeframe than 60 days to deal with exceptional circumstances (e.g., if needed for major capital investments). Please note that some customers may have tighter CAR closeout timeframes that supersede the new CanadaGAP requirement.