CanadaGAP Certification

What is CanadaGAP?

CanadaGAP is a food safety certification program developed specifically for Canada’s fresh produce industry and recognized by the Canadian Government. Built on the internationally recognized Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP) framework, it covers companies involved in producing, packing, repacking, storing, wholesaling, and brokering fresh fruits and vegetables. The program is managed by CanAgPlus, an independent Canadian non-profit organization, and is officially recognized by the Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI) for certification options B, C, and D.

Who Needs CanadaGAP Certification?

If your buyer has told you they require CanadaGAP certification, you have come to the right place. Contact PJRFSI, and we will walk you through what comes next.

CanadaGAP certification is open to any company involved in the production, handling, or brokerage of fresh fruits and vegetables that needs to demonstrate compliance with recognized food safety standards. Major Canadian retailers and food processors, including Metro, Loblaw Companies Limited, Walmart Canada, McCain Foods Canada, and Costco Wholesale Canada Ltd., require or strongly prefer CanadaGAP certification from their suppliers.

Your operation should pursue CanadaGAP certification if:

• A retail or foodservice buyer requires CanadaGAP or a GFSI-recognized food safety program
• You grow, pack, repack, store, wholesale, or broker fresh fruits or vegetables
• You need to meet the food safety requirements of the Safe Food for Canadians Regulations (SFCR)
• You are seeking access to domestic or international retail, food service, or processing markets

Benefits of CanadaGAP Certification

Earning CanadaGAP certification opens doors to markets your operation may not yet be able to access:

• Major Retailer Access: Metro, Loblaw Companies Limited, Walmart Canada, McCain Foods Canada, Costco Wholesale Canada Ltd., and other leading buyers require or strongly prefer CanadaGAP certification from their suppliers.
• GFSI Recognition: Options B, C, and D are officially recognized by the Global Food Safety Initiative, satisfying international buyer requirements without the need for additional audits.
• Canadian Government Recognition: CanadaGAP holds full recognition from the Canadian Government and is 100% aligned to the Safe Food for Canadians Regulations (SFCR) food safety requirements, directly supporting regulatory compliance.
• Reduced Contamination Risk: Certification verifies that your food safety program meets science-based HACCP standards designed to minimize hazards across the fresh produce supply chain.
• Competitive Differentiation: Certification signals to buyers that your operation maintains rigorous, ongoing food safety controls and is a lower-risk supplier.

Before You Apply: What to Have Ready

CanadaGAP requires that your food safety program be in place and operational before you can be audited. Here is what to prepare:

• A completed food safety program based on the applicable CanadaGAP manual (available for free at canadagap.ca), or equivalent procedures
• A minimum of 3 months of records demonstrating your food safety program is actively maintained
• Enrolment through the CanadaGAP program office before scheduling your audit

A first-time applicant who starts their food safety program today should plan for a minimum of 3 to 4 months before their audit can take place. Contact PJRFSI early to discuss scheduling and get your timeline in order.

The CanadaGAP Certification Process

CanadaGAP certification follows a structured process to ensure your operation meets program requirements before and after certification is issued.

• Step 1: Establish Your Food Safety Program. Implement a food safety program based on the relevant CanadaGAP manual and maintain at least three months of records before applying.
• Step 2: Enroll in the CanadaGAP Program. Register directly through CanadaGAP and select PJRFSI as your Certification Body.
• Step 3: Complete the Application Process with PJRFSI. You will need to sign a contract directly with PJRFSI. Additional information will be required to plan and scope your audit properly. Allow sufficient time for PJRFSI to process your application and assign an available auditor.
• Step 4: On-Site Audit. A qualified, CanadaGAP-trained PJRFSI auditor will visit your facility to review your food safety manual, assess records, interview staff, and evaluate compliance with the CanadaGAP audit checklist.
• Step 5: Certification Decision. PJRFSI conducts a technical review of the audit report. If requirements are met, certification is issued for your selected option.
• Step 6: Ongoing Compliance. Certification is maintained through recurring audits at the frequency required by your option. PJRFSI monitors auditor performance and manages any compliance concerns throughout the certification cycle.

Why Choose PJRFSI for CanadaGAP Certification?

PJRFSI is the Canadian division is a certification body with more than a decade of experience and accreditation across more than a dozen food safety program, including BRCGS, SQF, GLOBALG.A.P., PrimusGFS, and Organic. As an organization, PJRFSI brings that expertise directly to Canadian produce operations, with a grounded understanding of the domestic regulatory environment, including the Safe Food for Canadians Regulations (SFCR).

• Expert Service: PJRFSI is an expert in food safety in Canada, meaning your project manager, scheduling, and audit coordination are handled by a team that understands the Canadian produce sector and its regulatory context firsthand.
• One Partner for Multiple Programs: If your operation holds or is pursuing certifications beyond CanadaGAP, PJRFSI can manage them under a single relationship, reducing administrative complexity and audit scheduling friction.
• Dedicated Project Managers: Each client works with an assigned project manager from first contact through certificate issuance. They handle scheduling, documentation questions, and any issues that arise during the certification cycle.
• Auditor Oversight and Technical Review: PJRFSI monitors auditor performance on an ongoing basis. All audit results undergo technical review before certification decisions are made, and any complaints or disputes are handled directly by PJRFSI.
• Free, No-Obligation Quotes: PJRFSI provides quotes at no cost and with no obligation, so you can understand your certification costs before you commit.

Get Started with CanadaGAP Certification

Your buyer set a deadline. Our team knows how to get you there.

Reach out today, and a dedicated PJRFSI project manager will be in touch to walk you through the next steps.

Learn More About CanadaGAP: canadagap.ca