Food Safety Initiative (FSI)

What is it?

Financial assistance for food processors of all products to adopt Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs) and/or Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP).

This program provides direct grants to non-federally registered food processors to offset the costs associated with developing, implementing and/or maintaining a GMP or HACCP system. Grants are provided on a cost share basis; 90% is contributed by government.

 Who Qualifies?

• You are an Ontario processor involved in processing food or drink for human consumption

• You have a Revenue Canada Business Number (GST Number)

• You are not a federally registered establishment. Not sure whether your plant is federally registered? If you're not sure, you probably aren't. Depending on the commodity produced, some plants may be required to be federally registered with the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) to trade inter-provincially, export or apply a Canadian grade. Plants that are federally registered have an establishment number, a "Certificate of Registration" displayed in a conspicuous place, and their plant name would appear on CFIA's list of registered establishments. Being licensed or being a registered business for tax purposes does not mean that a plant is federally registered. If you are having trouble determining if your plant is federally registered please contact the FSI program at the phone number, below.

• You are licensed to operate in Ontario (if required e.g. Meat, Poultry and Dairy)

 Note:

• You may be eligible if you are a packaging manufacturer for the food industry. These applications will be assessed on an individual basis.

• Fish and shellfish processing plants are not eligible under this program.

• Systems for pet foods are not eligible under this program

 What is the benefit to your company?

More and more processors are seeing adoption of GMPs and HACCP as part of doing business. Development of these systems can require resources that you and your plant may not have readily available. The FSI program provides funding for the following costs associated with adopting GMPs or HACCP:

• Consulting
• Staff
• Staff training
• Equipment purchases required by the GMP or HACCP system to enhance food safety
• Materials and supplies
• Laboratory
• Audit

The FSI program provides:

• Up to $15,000 to eligible plants that choose to implement GMPs

• Up to $20,000 to eligible plants that choose to implement GMPS and one HACCP plan

• Up to $29,000 for additional HACCP plans up to a total of four HACCP plans

For Example….

1.  A plant that produces sauces needed to implement Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs) because their buyer was requesting it. They hired a consultant to work with the plant to develop and implement GMPs. While developing the GMP program the plant's Vice President committed one third of his time to working with the consultant. The plant also realized they would have to purchase personnel attire such as hairnets and gloves. The plant submitted their written GMP program to FSI for review and it was approved. Ultimately, the plant was reimbursed by FSI for the following costs:

   • amount spent on hairnets and gloves since FSI's commencement on Nov.21/05

2. A plant that washes and slices fresh mushrooms before packaging them wanted to implement the HACCP Advantage and thought they may need one HACCP plan. They applied and were approved for funding for one HACCP plan. However, after attending HACCP training, the production manager responsible for HACCP development realized that three HACCP plans were needed. The plant submitted an Amendment to their previous FSI application and their approved funding amount was increased to include three HACCP plans. The production manager developed the food safety system and had it verified using laboratory testing , The plant became HACCP Advantage certified after an audit. The plant was reimbursed by FSI for the following costs:

   • the training taken by the Production Manager (including wages and travel costs)
   • the wages of the Production Manager for the time spent developing the program
   • laboratory testing
   • the HACCP Advantage audit

How do I apply?

Application forms can be obtained by contacting the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA) at 1-866-641-3663 or by downloading from the OMAFRA website at www.ontario.ca/omafra. Applications can be submitted by fax to 1-519-826-4466 or by mail to:

Food Safety Initiative
OMAFRA
1 Stone Road West,
Guelph, Ontario, N1G 4Y2

Where can I find more information?

For more information please check out the Food Safety Initiative (FSI) link at OMAFRA's website www.ontario.ca/omafra or phone the program toll-free at 1-866-641-3663.

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