| | Our food is safer than ever before. However, today's integrated production and distribution systems mean that a contaminated food product can be consumed by a large number of people in a broad geographical range in a short period of time. The desire to limit the risks and control the safety and quality of food has lead to the development of On-Farm Food Safety programs (OFFS). The purpose of these programs is to reduce the risk of unsafe food products originating from the farm and to reassure both the processor and consumer that the products supplied are safe and of high quality.
One of the biggest factors encouraging the food industry to adopt food safety programs is the shift in public attitude and awareness about their food. Consumer awareness and expectations of safety have increased along with the ability to detect and link food safety problems to a particular processor, farmer or activity. There is every reason to believe these trends will continue.
Canada began developing initiatives for On-Farm Food Safety programs in 1997. Funded by the federal government, the Canadian Federation of Agriculture has coordinated Canadian OFFS program development. Fourteen national commodity organizations, representing over 33,000 Alberta producers, have received funding for the development of OFFS programs. These programs are based on the seven principles of Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP) programs outlined by the World Health Organization's Codex Alimentarius Commission. While the programs are voluntary, there is increasing pressure on producers from processors, wholesalers, and retailers for products to be produced under verified food safety programs.
Currently, Alberta OFFS programs include:
| 1. | Bison |
| 2. | Cattle |
| 3. | Dairy |
| 4. | Elk |
| 5. | Horticulture |
| 6. | Poultry |
| 7. | Sheep |
| 8. | Swine |
Several Alberta industry groups have approached Alberta Agriculture, Food and Rural Development (AAFRD) to request assistance in delivery of OFFS programs in Alberta. It has been identified that: 1) AAFRD has a role to play in ensuring producers have the tools and resources to adopt OFFS programs for their commodities; and 2) AAFRD should be consistent in the type of support it offers to Alberta's producers, but also flexible in the delivery of the support it offers depending on commodity needs and the stage of adoption. The guiding principles determining AAFRD involvement are that:
| 1. | Industry driven national programs are supported as the best option for adoption by Alberta commodities. |
| 2. | Canadian OFFS programs facilitate growth and enhance sustainability of Alberta's food production. |
| 3. | AAFRD and the Alberta Government have a responsibility for food safety. |
| 4. | AAFRD involvement will be in a partnership with industry and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA). |
| 5. | AAFRD has strategic involvement in food safety, growth of the agrifood industry and increased market access. |
Industry representatives have had a favourable response to AAFRD's roles in providing technical expertise and auditing functions when requested by industry. However, binding legislation to ensure the programs were followed was not fully supported. Multiple-commodity producers are concerned about having to face multiple on-farm audits in addition to other auditable programs that may be put in place for feed mixing, environmental standards and/or animal welfare standards.
Related links
For more information on this and other On-Farm Food Safety programs, contact Kim Whitehead, Section Head, Safe Foods System Section.
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