Vancouver, BC – The Canadian government agency dedicated to safeguarding food, animals and plants for the safety and well-being of Canadians was honored today with the California Leafy Greens Marketing Agreement’s (LGMA) “Golden Checkmark” Award for support of mandatory government inspection of food safety systems within the produce industry. Helen Zohar-Picciano, Chief of Fresh Produce Inspection for the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) accepted the award during the Canadian Produce Marketing Association’s 85th Annual Member meeting held in Vancouver, BC as part of the organization’s Annual Convention and Trade Show.
Presenting the award to CFIA was Jamie Strachan, chairman of the LGMA, and Scott Horsfall, LGMA CEO.
“The Golden Checkmark Award is a symbol of support and commitment to mandatory government inspection of food safety systems within the produce industry and we cannot think of an entity more deserving of this award than CFIA,” said Strachan during the presentation ceremony. “Your agency has made LGMA certification a condition of entry to the Canadian market for California leafy greens. This means that any leafy greens product coming from California to a Canadian market must be produced in full compliance with food safety practices of the LGMA and verified through mandatory government audits by USDA-certified inspectors.”
According to LGMA CEO Horsfall, CFIA was among the first to recognize the significance of the LGMA food safety program and in June 2007 the agency implemented a requirement that all leafy greens products imported from the state of California be from certified member companies of the LGMA.
“This was a very important step in recognizing the LGMA as a comprehensive food safety program,” said Horsfall. “This kind of action is helps enforce our program and it has been very beneficial to the LGMA’s efforts to protect public health. The LGMA is working to establish a culture of enhanced food safety on California leafy greens farms and we appreciate CFIA’s role in advancing the program’s success.”
“CFIA is very honoured to be considered for this award. Providing Canadian citizens with the safest food possible is the CFIA’s top priority, and one way we help to ensure that is by requiring certification by the California Leafy Greens Marketing Agreement.” said Zohar-Picciano.
This is the third time the LGMA Golden Checkmark Award has been presented. Past recipients include California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, who was recognized for assisting the California leafy greens industry to establish this unprecedented food safety program which operates with government oversight from the California Department of Food and Agriculture. Tim York, President of Markon Cooperative Inc, a produce procurement operation with members throughout North America and Canada, received the award in October 2009 for his role in establishing a policy within his company to make the LGMA government audit the only farm audit required of its leafy greens suppliers.
Source: California Leafy Greens Marketing Agreement
