18.4 Organization and Frequency of Verification Tasks

The verification tasks are organized into seven (7) sections and related sub-sections.

Section 1: Food Safety

  • Sub-section 1: Specific control measures for product safety
  • Sub-section 2: Prerequisite Programs
  • Sub-section 3: Slaughter/Processing Requirements & Control Programs
  • Sub-section 4: Food Safety Current Issues
  • Sub-section 5: Process Controls

Section 2: Non Food Safety

  • Sub-section 1: Labelling Practices
  • Sub-section 2: CFIA Stations and Facilities
  • Sub-section 4: Non Food Safety Current Issues

Section 3: Export

  • Sub-section 1: Export USA
  • Sub-section 2: Export other than USA
  • Sub-section 3: Foreign Country Follow up Requirements
  • Sub-section 4: Export Current Issues
  • Sub-section 5: Export All Countries

Section 4: HACCP System Design

  • Sub-section 1: HACCP System Design
  • Sub-section 4: HACCP System Design Current Issues

Section 5: Animal Welfare and Animal Health

  • Sub-section 1: Animal Welfare and Animal Health
  • Sub-section 4: Animal Welfare and Animal Health Current Issues

Section 6: Program-Specific Verification Tasks (other than meat)

This section is currently under development

Section 7: CFIA sampling

  • Sub-section 1: Operator Sampling
  • Sub-section 2: Domestic CFIA Sampling
  • Sub-section 3: Import CFIA Sampling
  • Sub-section 4: Sampling Current Issues

Task Numbering:

Each verification task is assigned a number. This number represents the section, sub-section, and sequential task number. The first part of the task number indicates the section, the second part indicates the sub-section, and the last part of the task number represents the sequential task number.

For example:

Task # 2.2.02 is in Section 2: Non Food Safety; sub-section 2: CFIA Stations and Facilities; and is the second task in this sub-section.

Task #3.1.02 is in Section 3: Export; sub-section 1: Export USA; and is the second task in this sub-section.

Each verification task is assigned a minimum frequency. These frequencies are determined considering the:

  • impact on food safety;
  • FSEP manual guidelines;
  • type of control measures identified at the establishment;
  • regulatory requirements;
  • export requirements; and
  • state of compliance of the industry as a whole.

The "Verification Task Procedures" provide the procedures for each verification task. Each verification task procedure includes the following information:

  • section and sub-section;
  • task number;
  • task title that summarizes the task;
  • minimum frequency;
  • the date the task was last revised;
  • references to the MIA, MIR and other applicable regulations;
  • the procedure to follow when completing each task to ensure the uniformity of application across the country; each verification task procedure includes:
    • the requirements being assessed by each task;
    • how the inspector must assess the operator's compliance to requirements; and
    • references to the MOP.

18.4.1 Section 1: Food Safety Tasks

Each of the following sub-sections includes verification tasks related to food safety.

  • Sub-section 1: Specific control measures for product safety

    The control measure verification tasks are designed to assess the implementation and effectiveness of the operator's HACCP system to meet regulatory requirements. The tasks include: reviewing the written procedure and the records, interviewing, and observing the written procedures being implemented.

    The tasks in this sub-section may include operator identified Critical Control Points (CCPs) or other specific control measures recognized by the CFIA. In the case where operator identified CCPs or other control measures are covered by another verification task in Food Safety Sub Sections 2, 3 or 5, that CCP or control measure must be verified under that specific task instead of a sub-section 1 task.

  • Sub-section 2: Prerequisite programs

    The prerequisite verification tasks are designed to assess the implementation and effectiveness of the operator's prerequisite programs to meet regulatory requirements. The tasks include: reviewing the selected written prerequisite control program and records, interviewing, and observing the procedures being implemented.

  • Sub-section 3: Slaughter/Processing Requirements & Control Programs

    These verification tasks are designed to assess the implementation and effectiveness of the operator's control programs, as well as compliance with other regulatory requirements related to slaughter and processing operations. The tasks include: reviewing any written control programs, reviewing records, directly observing and interviewing to determine if the regulatory requirements are met and the control programs are implemented effectively as described.

  • Sub-section 4: Food Safety Current Issues

    The food safety current issues verification tasks will be developed as required. Tasks may be developed in the following situations:

    • extraordinary requests from the President of the CFIA;
    • need for data collection on a specific subject of interest; and
    • survey to Industry.
  • Sub-section 5: Process Controls

    These verification tasks are designed to assess the implementation and effectiveness of the operator's process controls. The tasks include: reviewing any written programs, reviewing records, conducting independent and correlation tests, directly observing and interviewing to determine if the regulatory requirements are met and the process controls are implemented effectively as described.

18.4.2 Section 2: Non Food Safety Tasks

The non food safety verification tasks are designed to assess compliance with regulatory requirements. The tasks include: reviewing any written programs, reviewing records, directly observing and interviewing to determine if the regulatory requirements are met and the written programs are implemented effectively as described.

Each of the following sub-sections includes verification tasks related to non food safety.

  • Sub-section 1: Labelling Practices
  • Sub-section 2: CFIA Stations and Facilities
  • Sub-section 4: Non Food Safety Current Issues

18.4.3 Section 3: Export Tasks

The export verification tasks are designed to assess compliance with export requirements. The tasks include: directly observing if requirements are respected, reviewing any required written control programs, and reviewing records.

Each of the following sub-sections includes verification tasks related to export requirements.

  • Sub-section 1: Export USA
  • Sub-section 2: Export other than USA
  • Sub-section 3: Foreign Country Follow Up Requirements
  • Sub-section 4: Export Current Issues
  • Sub-section 5: Export All Countries

18.4.4 Section 4: HACCP System Design Tasks

The HACCP System Design tasks are conducted by a CFIA team that is led by an FSEP Specialist Inspector. The team includes the responsible inspector and if appropriate, a program specialist. An FSEP Specialist Inspector is an inspector that is dedicated to mainly conducting the HACCP System Design tasks and has a good knowledge of FSEP and the meat program. A Program Specialist must be consulted when validation studies are assessed or when additional expertise is required.

These tasks are designed to assess if the operator's HACCP system:

  • is designed to effectively control food safety hazards;
  • meets the FSEP and program requirements; and
  • is reassessed to ensure food safety hazards remain under control.

These tasks are performed once every two years and whenever the following situations occur:

  • submission of new HACCP plans;
  • follow-up after a food safety recall;
  • failure to meet microbiological performance standards; and
  • failure to meet CFIA pathogen control policy requirements.

The tasks might also be performed on special occasions when the integrity of the HACCP system is compromised and support from an FSEP specialist inspector is requested. The supervisor will notify the Area CVS Coordinator of the need for immediate support. The Area CVS Coordinator will contact the Area FSEP Coordinator to evaluate the situation and, when deemed appropriate, provide the necessary support to the inspector.

Each of the following sub-sections includes verification tasks related to HACCP System Design:

  • Sub-section 1: HACCP System Design
  • Sub-section 2: In-depth Review
  • Sub-section 4: HACCP System Design Current Issues

18.4.4.1 Submission of New HACCP Plans

When an establishment adds a new HACCP plan to its system, this must be communicated to the responsible inspector prior to the commencement of the new process. The CFIA may request a review of the new HACCP plan prior the commencement of the new process. The supervisor or responsible inspector must notify the Area FSEP coordinator of the submission of a new HACCP plan, as well as the Area CVS Coordinator. Task 4.1.03 must be carried out within 30 calendar days from the receipt of the new HACCP Plan. The new HACCP plan title must be recorded in box 14 of the verification worksheet CFIA/ACIA 5470 for tracking purpose.

18.4.4.2 Follow-up After a Food Safety Recall

The designated lead inspector must, as per the Food Emergency Response manual:

  • monitor the recalling establishment's actions on recovery, control, correction and/or disposition of recalled product;
  • monitor the corrective actions taken by the recalling establishment to eliminate the root cause of the deviation; and
  • enter follow up reports into the Issues Management System (IMS) in a timely manner

The responsible inspector is required to contact the Area CVS coordinator when the above activities are finalized. The Area CVS coordinator must contact the FSEP specialist inspector's supervisor. The section 4 verification tasks must be carried out at the recalling establishment within 30 calendar days of the closure of the initial recall. The purpose of the HACCP system design verification is to ensure that the recalling establishment has reassessed the HACCP System and made the appropriate changes to prevent the recurrence of the deviation. Additionally, CVS Section 1 task 1.2.34 associated with the implementation of the Recall program must be completed in conjunction with task 4.1.04 by the CFIA team.

18.4.4.3 Failure of Microbiological Performance Standard and/or Other CFIA Pathogen Control Policy Requirements

In situations where there has been a failure of microbiological performance standards and/or other CFIA pathogen control policy requirements over an extended period, the CFIA may choose to conduct an in-depth review instead of proceeding directly to enforcement actions such as a Suspension of the Licence to Operate.

The goal of an in-depth review is to identify the cause of:

  • the repetitive presence of Listeria monocytogenes in either the product or the environment (Task 4.2.01);
  • the repetitive presence of other pathogens in product (tasks to be developed);
  • repetitive generic E. coli testing results that indicate the process is not in control (MOP Chapter 11, USA Annex T) (task to be developed); and
  • repetitive Salmonella testing results that indicate the process is not in control (MOP Chapter 11, USA Annex U) (task to be developed).

The Inspection Manager, in consultation with the Area Program Specialist(s) will determine if an in-depth review needs to be conducted at an establishment.

The in-depth review will consider all food safety aspects that relates to the establishment and its product, the establishment's processes, and the environment of the establishment. The CFIA team will conduct on-site observations including interviewing personnel, reviewing written programs and associated records to identify the root cause(s) of the ongoing or repetitive unsatisfactory microbiological testing results.

18.4.5 Section 5: Animal Welfare and Animal Health

The Animal Welfare and Animal Health verification tasks are designed to assess compliance with regulatory requirements. The tasks include: reviewing any written control programs, reviewing records, directly observing and interviewing to determine if the regulatory requirements are met and the control programs are implemented effectively as described.

Each of the following sub-sections includes verification tasks related to Animal Welfare and Animal Health.

  • Sub-section 1: Animal Welfare and Animal Health
  • Sub-section 4: Animal Welfare and Animal Health Current Issues

18.4.6 Section 6: Program-Specific Verification Tasks (other than meat)

This section is currently under development

18.4.7 Section 7: CFIA Sampling

This section incorporates both Operator sampling activities and CFIA sampling activities. Operator sampling activities are based on policy requirements. Tasks that verify export sampling requirements are located under Section 3: Export.

18.4.7.1 Operator Sampling

Operator sampling tasks focus on elements of prescribed sampling programs. This includes verifying written plans, sampling activities, frequencies and results. Operators are required to notify the CFIA of non-compliant product and environmental results.

Based on the task guidance, if a CAR is issued there may be follow up sampling required. Follow up samples and results received must be documented on the follow up section of the CAR. Follow up sampling results do not require additional CARs to be issued.

The only exception is in the case where an operator notifies the CFIA of a positive Listeria environmental sample result. The inspector will issue a CAR under Task 7.1.02. According to the MOP Chapter 5, the operator must then conduct product sampling. Should that product sample test positive, the CFIA will issue the operator another CAR under Task 7.1.04.

This ensures the positive product sample is differentiated from the environmental sample in CVS. The action plan submitted by the operator can be the same action plan for both CARs provided it meets the requirements of an acceptable action plan and addresses both non-compliances.

18.4.7.2 Domestic & Import CFIA Sampling

These tasks encompass the scheduled domestic and import sampling plans conducted by CFIA inspectors in the field. It should be noted that these sampling tasks differ from other CVS tasks. The task rating is determined by the analysis result and not information gathered. In addition, there are no criteria to verify other than the sample collection. Each task will contain a certain amount of follow up guidance; however, in each case the MOP and current guidelines must always be consulted.

Domestic - Microbiological Sampling

In the case of domestic meat products sampled in accordance with the CFIA Microbiological Sampling Program, non-compliant or unsatisfactory product analysis results indicate that the operator does not meet the regulatory requirements related to the manufacturing of edible meat products.

Follow up samples that are related to an initial non-compliant or unsatisfactory result must be documented on the follow up section of the CAR. Non-compliant or unsatisfactory follow up sampling results do not require additional CARs to be issued.

The only exception is in the case where product samples are collected as a result of non-compliant environmental sampling results (Task 7.2.11). The product sample must be collected and documented on the verification worksheet under Task 7.2.01. If the product analysis result is non-compliant, another CAR is issued under Task 7.2.01.

This ensures the positive product sample is differentiated from the environmental sample in CVS. The action plan submitted by the operator can be the same action plan for both CARs provided it meets the requirements of an acceptable action plan and addresses both non-compliances.

Domestic - Chemical Sampling

These tasks are typically conducted at slaughter establishments. The tasks require that the task be coded "C" when completed, regardless of the analysis result. Unsatisfactory results are generally not a result of non-compliance by the operator and therefore do not result in the issuance of a CAR.

Import - Microbiological & Chemical Sampling

These tasks assess the compliance of imported products with Canadian standards. These tasks are coded "C" when completed, regardless of the analysis result. Unsatisfactory results are not a result of non-compliance by an operator and therefore do not result in the issuance of a CAR.

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