New public stakeholder consultation for: CanadaGAP® | GFSI BMRs v2024

The Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI) is pleased to open the public stakeholder consultation for CanadaGAP®. This consultation is a mandatory step in the GFSI benchmarking process to allow for industry-wide input regarding the certification programme’s alignment with the GFSI Benchmarking Requirements Version 2024.

From 13 May 2026 to 12 June 2026 at midnight CET, we invite all interested stakeholders to participate and share their feedback on CanadaGAP’s GFSI benchmarking report.

Scope of Application

CanadaGAP® has applied for recognition for:

• CanadaGAP Program Management Manual Version 11.0, and
• CanadaGAP® Food Safety Manuals Version 11.0

for the following certification options:

• Option B (Group Certification),
• Option C (for Production, Packing and Storage Operations), and
• Option D (for Repacking and Wholesaling Operations)

against the following GFSI scopes:

• BI: Farming of Plants (other than grains and pulses)
• BIII: Pre-process Handling of plant products

Invitation for Input

GFSI invites all interested stakeholders to review the assessment documents and provide technical comments regarding the programme’s conformity to the GFSI Requirements.

Available Documentation for Review:

• GFSI Benchmark Assessment Report (CanadaGAP v2024)
• CPO Self-Assessment Checklists (Parts 2, 3, and Scopes BI, & BIII)

How to Submit Comments:

To participate, fill out the form below to receive the consultation documents and respond by 12 June 2026 at midnight CET.

About CanadaGAP®

CanadaGAP® is a food safety programme for companies that produce, handle and broker fruits and vegetables. Having been benchmarked to GFSI for a number of years, it is now in its eleventh version.

Two manuals, one specific to greenhouse operations, the second for other fruit and vegetable operations, have been developed by the horticultural industry and reviewed for technical soundness by Canadian government officials. The manuals are based on a rigorous hazard analysis applying the seven principles of the internationally-recognized HACCP (Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point) approach. The manuals are designed for companies implementing Good Agricultural Practices (GAPs) in their production, packing and storage operations, and for repackers and wholesalers implementing Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs) and HACCP programmes.

The certification programme is designed to operate under product/process certification according to ISO 17065 accreditation and involves third-party audits and certification of single and multisite farms (group certification). Version 11.0 normative documents became obligatory from 1 April 2026.

Why a Stakeholder Consultation

This important step of the GFSI Benchmarking process ensures its transparency and robustness, inviting interested stakeholders to review and comment on the assessment carried out by GFSI and their Benchmark Leaders.