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Getting Into Local Foods
January 22, 2019 – Wetaskiwin, AB
This one-day workshop is for producers who are new to or are considering selling food through farmers' markets or other direct-to-consumer methods. You will learn about the regulations, available services and market strategies for selling food direct to consumers and more! Cost is $25 plus the GST. Register online by January 14, 2019.
Being GMP Ready in the Natural Health Products Sector
January 29, 2019 – Red Deer, AB
This one-of-a-kind workshop, organized by Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada and Alberta Agriculture and Forestry (AF), in collaboration with NHP Consulting Inc., aims to provide the Natural Health Products (NHP) industry with a better understanding of Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs).
Whether you are a site license holder or work towards an NHP product or site license, this workshop is for you.
Complying with GMPs is a mandatory aspect in the NHP Regulations and ensures a high level of quality and confidence in your product.
Attend this workshop to:
- learn what it takes to develop and implement a GMP system
- understand how to build an ongoing quality assurance program
- learn how to ensure the quality of an NHP before and while it’s made available for sale
- assess your readiness to undertake a site license and identify gaps for your company
- locate various guidance documents and resources to move forward with GMPs.
Cost is $37 plus the GST and online registration fee. Register online by Friday, January 18, 2019.
For more information, contact Ileana Costiuc at 403-948-8511.
Getting Into Farmers’ Markets
February 12, 2019 – Wetaskiwin, AB
Farmers' markets are big business in Alberta, with over $900 million in annual sales. Entering this market channel with the right skills and resources can shorten your learning curve and enhance your success! This one-day workshop will show you how! Cost is $25 plus the GST. Register online by February 5, 2019.
Connect with Alberta Agriculture and Forestry 310-0000 (AB Toll-Free)
Sector Development: 780-643-2241 Food Safety:780-415-4570
Industry Development Programs: 780-980-4224 Livestock and Crop Research: 780-968-6556
Alberta Food Processors Association
Events
Information Sessions on Safe Food for Canadians Regulations
January 23, 2019 –Red Deer, AB
January 31, 2019 –Leduc, AB
February 4, 2019 –Lethbridge, AB
February 6, 2019 –Airdrie, AB
AF is organizing three information sessions to help Alberta small and medium processors understand the new Safe Food for Canadians Regulations(SFCR). The information will focus on the new regulations for processors not previously subject to the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) registration requirements.
The half-day information sessions (from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.) to will be delivered by the CFIA and will cover:
- key components of the SFCR and how it will impact the food industry
- timelines for implementation
- enforcement and oversight considerations
- a description of “MyCFIA” and a walk through the registration process
- available CFIA resources and guidance documents
- the opportunity to ask questions directly to a CFIA representative
Register for the session closest to you by calling the Ag-Info Centre at 1-800-387-6030. Space is limited.
Contact Kathy Bosse at 403-755-6116 or Ileana Costiuc at 403-948-8511 for more information.
Food Processing Development Centre
Sensory science measures the human response to various characteristics with respect to food and drink, such as appearance, aroma, flavour and texture. The Sensory Evaluation Program at the Food Processing Development Centre in Leduc recruits representative panellists to sample food products in a controlled environment to collect unbiased and objective data for research and product development. This data provides the food industry with insight to the consumer’s acceptability of a product before being launched, which is a crucial step in managing risk and limiting product failure. For more information on the sensory services offered please contact us at 780-986-4793 or email cptc@gov.ab.ca.
Regulatory Updates
Proposed regulations on new classes of Cannabis: edible cannabis, extracts and topicals
On October 17, 2018, the Cannabis Actcame into force, legalizing and strictly regulating access to cannabis for adults in Canada. The Government of Canada’s public health approach to cannabis better protects the health and safety of Canadiansand keeps cannabis out of the hands of youth and profits out of the hands of criminals and organized crime.
Health Canada is developing regulations governing the production and sale of additional cannabis products, namely edible cannabis, cannabis extracts and cannabis topicals. Providing legal access to a broad range of cannabis products is a key element of the Government’s strategy to displace the illegal market over time. These cannabis products will be permitted for legal sale under the Cannabis Actno later than October 17, 2019.
The proposed regulations for edible cannabis, cannabis extracts and cannabis topicalswere published in the Canada Gazette, Part I, on December 22, 2018. In order for Health Canada to hear from a diversity of Canadians and interested organizations about the proposals, stakeholders are invited to share their views on the proposed regulations by visiting the online questionnaire, until February 20, 2019.
For more information please visit: https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/news/2018/12/health-canada
Funding Program
Applications for the Summer Temporary Employment Program (STEP) are now being accepted online for high school and post-secondary student employment opportunities between May and August, by providing a $7-per-hour wage subsidy to employers.New this year, applications are being accepted online to streamline the process, through the Labour Workforce Grants Portal. Employers interested in hiring a student for 2019 are encouraged to apply as soon as possible; for more information, visit https://www.alberta.ca/step or contact the STEP office at 1-866-338-4727 or step@gov.ab.ca.
Alberta Food Processors Association
Food Safety and Quality Training
- Vulnerability Assessment for Food Fraud Training (by BRC) – February 20, Calgary
- BRC Internal Auditor – February 21-22, Calgary
- Root Cause Analysis for Corrective & Preventive Action - February 25, Calgary
- HACCP I – Prerequisite Programs – February 26-27, Calgary
- HACCP II – Developing your HACCP Plan – February 28 – 29, Calgary
- Safe Food Canada Regulations: Preventative Controls & Traceability – March 6, Edmonton
- Building your Food Safety Culture – March 7, Edmonton
- Information session on technical requirements for cannabis cultivators and food processors - Mark your calendar for the afternoon of February 26 and watch for additional information coming soon. Space will be limited, email melody@afpa.com to reserve a spot.
The 2019 schedule is available on the website at http://afpa.com/fsq_courses or melody@afpa.com.
Workplace Health and Safety
Are you OHS compliant? OH&S related and required training such as Hazard Assessment, Incident Investigation, OHS Roles & Responsibilities, and H&S Representative must be attended as formal classroom training. This includes the student interaction, participation, exercises, and an exam with a required 80% min. to pass and a certificate. Contact ed@afpa.com for public or onsite training or assistance with your program. |
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