2025 CANADAGAP PROGRAM UPDATES
CanadaGAP Food Safety Manuals v10.0
The CanadaGAP Food Safety Manual for Fresh Fruits and Vegetables and the CanadaGAP Food Safety Manual for Greenhouse Product will NOT be reissued for 2025. Version 10.0 (2023) remains the most current version.
However, please be aware that corrections have been made to Version 10.0 of the CanadaGAP Food Safety Manuals for the 2025 season.
The corrections outlined below apply to BOTH manuals (Fresh Fruits and Vegetables and Greenhouse Product). Please review the details carefully to ensure the necessary updates are incorporated into your copy of the manual.
CORRECTION No. 1
Section 7. Agricultural Water
The risk assessment that was completed for agricultural water sources must now be recorded within Section 7.1 of the manual.
According to the Food Safety Manuals, Agricultural Water is defined as:
Agricultural water: Water used for irrigation and the pre-harvest application of agricultural chemicals and commercial fertilizers.
Annually (prior to using the agricultural water sources) – the person responsible records the risk assessment completed for ALL agricultural water sources (as outlined in the bullets above) and provides details in the chart below (include other pages if necessary):
If any hazards were identified above, complete the following table:
CORRECTION No. 2
Appendices
Two new Appendices have been added as information and resources for program users:
Appendix Y: Food Safety Risks after Wildfire – Resources – added to help operations navigate food safety concerns post-wildfire.
Appendix Z: Food Traceability Final Rule – FSMA 204 Guidance – added to help operations who may need to comply with FSMA 204 requirements.
CORRECTION No. 3
Introduction III. Scope & 17. Packaging Materials
The last set of changes relate to the repacking of enoki mushrooms. It was determined that due to a history of recalls with this commodity, the repacking of enoki mushrooms will no longer be covered within the scope of the CanadaGAP program.
A reminder that to meet CanadaGAP program requirements, operations are required to review their manual annually. The release of the Correction Notice is the optimal time to go through the manual to update it with the necessary changes and review its currency.
Updated copies of the Food Safety manuals are available on the CanadaGAP website at www.canadagap.ca/manuals/downloads. Updated tracked changes copies of the manuals, as well as other supporting documents, are also available as tools for program users.
CanadaGAP Program Management Manual v10.1
The CanadaGAP Program Management Manual outlines the operation of the certification program; it includes information on audit timing, scope of certification, certificate validity, multi-site certification, certification body transfers, and other aspects related to the management of the certification program.
The current version 10.1 remains in effect; however, some corrections were made. Please review the corrections summary below as these will have a direct impact on the clients certification process.
3.3.5.4 Program Audit and Certification Process
3.3.5.4.1 Procedures
Communication with auditees: The certification body and auditor communication with auditees is expected to be done early, and with enough lead time for audits to occur as scoped:
The certification body is responsible for communicating to the auditee the audit instructions before the operation's season begins, the communication will include the audit type (i.e. announced, unannounced, random, triggered, etc), the crops and activities to be observed and timeframe for completion.
The auditee is responsible to communicate to the CB any changes in the timing of the relevant activities (harvest, packing, etc) and/or crops that could affect their audit timing.
Unannounced audits: The minimum required percentage of unannounced audits for certification bodies has been reduced from 10% to 5% for clients enrolled under Options A1 and A2. For Options C, D, E, and F, the requirement remains at 10%.
The minimum required percentage of unannounced audits for certification bodies has been reduced from 10% to 5% for clients enrolled under Options A1 and A2. For Options C, D, E, and F, the requirement remains at 10%.
3.3.5.4.2 Audit Duration
In 2025, CanadaGAP introduced the Pollinator Health Addendum. An additional hour will be allocated for its completion. The audit's minimum duration will remain unchanged.
3.3.5.10 Transfers Between Certification Bodies
If a transferring client was selected for an unannounced audit by the outgoing certification body and failed to comply, the incoming certification body must conduct the first audit as an unannounced audit.
The client MUST inform the incoming certification body of the date of their last unannounced audit and/or whether they were selected for one in the year the transfer occurs.
3.3.5.6 Corrective Actions Request Follow-up
The timeframe for corrective actions submission has been reduced from 60 to 45 calendar days or before the end of the operation's season, whichever comes first.
Those who do not provided the certification body with evidence of implemented corrective actions by the deadline will not be certified, or will have their certification withdrawn and will need another on-site audit to regain certification.
The certification body must close the corrective actions and make the certification decision within 60 calendar days from issuing the final report.
Component 6. CanadaGAP Addendum for Pollinator Health
The CanadaGAP Program launched the CanadaGAP Addendum for Pollinator Health (IPM). This addendum will be available for CanadaGAP program participants beginning April 1, 2025.
The addendum has been approved by the IPM Institute of North America as meeting Walmart requirements for protection of pollinator heath.
The addendum is optional and will be available to program participants who need it to meet their customer requirements. It will be delivered as an add-on checklist provided in conjunction with CanadaGAP on-site audits for certification options C and E.
The updated copy of the CanadaGAP Management Manual is available on the CanadaGAP website at https://www.canadagap.ca/certification/program-management-system-manual/.
Subscribe to our newsletter and stay updated on any developments from MSVS and CanadaGAP.
© 2025 MSVS. All Rights Reserved.
This blog and its contents, including text, images, and other materials, are the property of MSVS and are protected under copyright law. Unauthorized use, reproduction, or distribution of any content without prior written permission is strictly prohibited.
For permissions or inquiries, please contact info@msvs.ca.