BULLETIN 2026-01

2026 CANADAGAP PROGRAM UPDATES

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CanadaGAP Version 11.0 - Food Safety Manuals

CanadaGAP has released Version 11.0 of the Food Safety Manuals for Fresh Fruits and Vegetables and Greenhouse operations.

These updated manuals are effective April 1, 2026 and will apply to all audits conducted on or after this date.

Certified operations are responsible for reviewing the updated manuals in full and ensuring their systems, procedures, and records are aligned with the revised requirements prior to their next audit.

Summary of Changes

Version 11.0 includes updates across multiple sections of the manuals, including:

• Background and program alignment

  • Addition of wording to address GFSI requirements related to HACCP and senior management commitment

• Scope and commodity clarification

  • Clarification of excluded activities (e.g., minimally processed products)

  • Explicit identification of certain commodities within existing crop groupings

• Manual usability and interpretation

  • Revisions to improve clarity of instructions and legislative references

• Glossary and terminology updates

  • New and revised definitions

  • Alignment of terminology with CFIA usage

• Operational requirements

  • Revisions and clarifications within sections such as premises and transportation

  • Adjustments to how requirements are structured and described

• Traceability, deviations, and crisis management

  • Additional requirements related to mock recalls and full traceability system validation

• Food safety culture

  • Expanded requirements aligned with GFSI expectations

• Personnel practices

  • Additional controls related to jewelry and personal effects

• Documentation and export requirements

  • Updates to Appendix Q: Documentation Requirements on Agricultural Chemicals for Exported Product, including revisions to MRL database references for certain countries

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CanadaGAP Version 11.0 - Management Manual

CanadaGAP has released Version 11.0 of the Management Manual.

These updated management requirements are effective April 1, 2026 and will apply to all audits conducted on or after this date.

Certified operations are responsible for reviewing the updates and ensuring their practices, procedures, and records are aligned with the revised requirements prior to their next audit.

Summary of Changes

• Role of Consultants During Audits

  • Consultants may attend audits only as observers.

  • Employees responsible for day-to-day operations must act as the auditee and answer auditor questions.

• Certification Decision Timing

  • Certification decisions communicated within 30 business days if no corrective actions (CARs) are issued.

  • Certificates are issued promptly after CARs are closed.

• Certificates of Conformity

  • Multiple addresses may appear on certificates only if specifically requested by the participant for buyer/customer requirements.

  • CBs are encouraged to include the most recent audit date(s) for transparency.

  • MSVS Policy: Clients may request all addresses be included on the certificate, an addendum will be provided with the site address, size, crops produced and date of last inspection.

• Reporting Obligations to the Certification Body

  • Participants must inform their CB without delay (within 48 hours) of:

    • Food safety prosecutions

    • Significant regulatory incidents

    • Product recalls involving confirmed outbreaks, illnesses, hospitalizations, or fatalities

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Important Note

This summary is provided for convenience only. All certified operations must review the full Version 11.0 manuals and associated documents to ensure complete compliance.

To download the latest version of the manuals and supporting documents, tools and resources, visit the CanadaGAP website at www.canadagap.ca.

Action Required

Certified clients must:

• Review the program updates

• Update internal procedures, records, and practices as required

• Ensure implementation prior to their next audit

  
  

Failure to meet updated requirements may result in non-conformities.

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