FAQs by Topic
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New to organic certification or looking to become certified and not sure where to start?
You might find these FAQ topics most useful:
CCOF offers food safety certification to fruit and vegetable producers and packing houses with minimal processing. We have several programs available providing total supply chain coverage.
CCOF only provides food safety audits for operations that have…
Yes! CCOF maintains a food safety resource page to help get you started.
Update your Food Safety Plan any time there are changes to products/ parcels/ acreage operation or changes to activities (e.g. addition of new packing equipment or line or addition of a new product).
You are required to review and if necessary, update your Food Safety Plan annually at a minimum.
Submit an application as soon as possible to ensure efficient inspection scheduling. Inspectors book up fast and last minute applications may be more expensive.
Prepare for your inspection by completing a program specific self-assessment (e.g. PrimusGFS,…
PrimusGFS key benefits:
Certifies each operation activity individually
Certification customer support in U.S.
GLOBALG.A.P. Key benefits:
Group and multi-site certification options
One certification for vertically integrated operations or grower operations regardless of number of ranches and harvest crews
Includes environmental sustainability and worker welfare control points
We have heard loud and clear from our members that they want to comply with the requirements of FSMA and their buyers, but are concerned about the cost, time, and paperwork burden of dealing with another certification program. In addition, organic producers need a food safety program that works in harmony with the USDA NOP requirements. We see the value in offering a food safety certification…
Food Safety inspections must occur during the harvest, and if applicable, packing of the products you wish to be certified.
Products with differing harvest practices and timings may require a harvest follow up inspection to verify harvest/packing practices, e.g. strawberries (inspection in March) and harvest follow up inspection for apples (verified in September).
Inspection timing depends on…
GLOBALG.A.P. has different programs to meet the needs of different buyers. Be sure to talk to your buyers to determine which program level you need! Food Safety Certifications and Assessments:
IFA: Integrated Farm Assurance – GFSI benchmarked certification. Top-level program. Important for exports. Includes food safety, traceability, environmental welfare, and worker welfare.
PSS: Produce…
Risk assessments and checklists per program can help you construct your plan depending on activities.
Self-assessment – using the specific GFSI standard checklist (PrimusGFS, IFA, HPSS, PHA, etc), you must self-inspect your own operation, record comments in each of the control points and if necessary, document evidence of corrective actions taken to fix any deficiencies. Your inspector will…
Apply for PrimusGFS Services by completing the CCOF PrimusGFS Contract. Contract forms are available here.
We will use your information to construct your online PrimusGFS portal.
Provide any remaining details to accept your application by emailing…
The Global Food Safety Initiative is an international nonprofit umbrella organization that “benchmarks” (deems equivalent) food safety standards. Retailers or buyers that require food safety certification from their suppliers generally require that the certification standard be GFSI benchmarked. The…
GLOBALG.A.P. is a stakeholder-driven nonprofit organization based in Germany that sets food safety standards for farmers. There are over 120,000 farms worldwide certified to GLOBALG.A.P. standards.
PrimusGFS is owned and managed by Azzule Systems. PrimusGFS is a GFSI benchmarked food safety certification program, proving total supply chain coverage.
Check out our advocacy efforts on food safety.
Integrated Farm Assurance (IFA) - The IFA standard is the top tier GLOBALG.A.P. standard and is great for those exporting outside of the US and especially to the European Union.
IFA certification includes topics above and beyond food safety, like worker welfare and environmental sustainability.
Harmonized Produce Safety Standard (HPSS) - The HPSS is a standard developed by United Fresh and…
Good Agricultural Practices: For production areas in farms, indoor agricultural and Harvest crews
Good Manufacturing Practices: For Storage and distribution, Cooler/Cold Storage, Packing houses and Processing Facilities
Be sure to also talk to your buyers to determine the best program. For more information on eligibility, benefits, and requirements, visit our…