Certifications
Gluten-Free Certification Program (GFCP)
The Gluten-Free Certification Program (GFCP) is the only Canadian voluntary certification program designed for manufacturers of gluten-free food, drug and pharmaceutical products that are intended to be differentiated from the increasing clutter of gluten-free claims in today’s marketplace by using the Trusted Mark of the Canadian Celiac Association (CCA).
The GFCP is has been designed to differentiate itself from other certification programs with a foundation based on proven Canadian regulatory and private sector adopted Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP) systems. This approach is preventative in nature and addresses all potential hazards, including gluten, as part of a manufacturers overall safety and quality management system. When combining this approach with analytical testing procedures for incoming ingredients, as well as in-process and finished products the GFCP provides added assurance that the products carrying the mark are both safe and gluten-free.
About The SQF Program
The Safe Quality Food (SQF) Program is a rigorous and credible food safety and quality program that is recognized by retailers, brand owners, and food service providers world-wide. Recognized by the Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI), the SQF family of food safety and quality codes are designed to meet industry, customer, and regulatory requirements for all sectors of the food supply chain – from the farm all the way to the retail stores.
This rigorous farm-to-fork food safety and quality certification also helps food producers assure their buyers that their food products meet the highest possible global food safety standards.
The SQF Program will guide you through the process of setting up a comprehensive food safety management system on your farm, in your warehouse or facility – and then check your work by examining your processes with an annual audit. All audits are conducted through the SQFI Audit Database, powered by Repositrak. Passing this audit results in a certificate and earns a facility the right to proudly call themselves an “SQF-Certified Site”.
GS1
GS1 is an international not-for-profit association with Member Organisations in over 100 countries.
GS1 is dedicated to the design and implementation of global standards and solutions to improve the efficiency and visibility of supply and demand chains globally and across sectors. The GS1 system of standards is the most widely used supply chain standards system in the world.
Our Member Organisations handle all enquiries related to GS1 products, solutions and services.
- GS1 has close to 40 years’ experience in global standards – see our timeline for more information.
- GS1 offers a range of standards, services and solutions to fundamentally improve efficiency and visibility of supply and demand chains.
- GS1 standards are used in multiple sectors and industries.
Vegan Action
What is the Certified Vegan Logo?
The Logo is a registered trademark, similar in nature to the “kosher” mark, for products that do not contain animal products or byproducts and that have not been tested on animals. The Logo is easily visible to consumers interested in vegan products and helps vegans to shop without constantly consulting ingredient lists; it helps companies recognize a growing vegan market; and it helps bring the word “vegan”—and the lifestyle it represents—into the mainstream. (Please keep in mind, however, that the logo is not yet on every vegan product.) The Logo is administered by The Vegan Awareness Foundation (official name of Vegan Action), a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization dedicated to educating the public about veganism and to assist vegan-friendly businesses.
Certified Vegan Standards
Vegan is defined as: no animal or animal by-products to include flesh, bones, dairy, eggs, honey, fur, leather, wool, down feathers, and cosmetics or chemical products tested on animals. Vegan Awareness Foundation requires that products approved to carry the Certified Vegan Logo must:
- not contain meat, fish, fowl, animal by-products (including silk or dyes from insects), eggs or egg products, milk or milk products
- involve no animal testing of ingredients or finished product by supplier, producer, manufacturer or independent party
- provide supplier verification that animal products were not used in the manufacturing of ingredients
- contain no known animal-derived GMOs or genes used to manufacture ingredients or finished products
Companies must submit and have approved by the Vegan Awareness Foundation that acceptable steps are taken to thoroughly clean and sanitize all surfaces, vessels, utensils and machinery used between vegan and non-vegan production cycles to minimize cross-contamination if shared machinery is used.
