The Canadian Grain Commission is launching two voluntary programs for Canadian grain companies who wish to enhance their grain safety and identity-preserved quality management systems.
The two programs — CGC HACCP and CIPRS + HACCP are based on the food industry standard Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point, which was designed to ensure food safety for the U.S. space program.
The CGC says the programs will help to ensure the safety and dependability of Canadian grains internationally. Through the two programs, the Canadian Grain Commission will certify companies’ grain quality and safety assurance processes.
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The programs were developed with input from the grain industry, and are based on the CGC’s experience in developing its identity preserved quality management program, Canadian Identity Preserved Recognition System (CIPRS) which launched in 2003.
“The consultation period for these programs was one of the most extensive consultations that the Canadian Grain Commission has had,” said CGC chief commissioner Elwin Hermanson. “With the support of industry stakeholders, we carried out pilot projects with 20 companies.” Of these 20 companies, three are certified and four have applied for certification.
HACCP is an internationally-recognized system for managing food safety. A company’s inputs and processes are examined and potential food safety hazards are identified and controlled. An identity preserved system is a quality management program that maintains the unique traits or quality characteristics from seed through all stages to shipping
