~~AFPA - Food Safety / Workplace Safety & MUCH MORE~!

HAPPY NEW YEAR 2021! - Bid Goodbye to 2020 and welcome the new year with AFPA!

We are stronger together and thanks to those members who have already paid their 2021 membership dues. If you require a copy of your membership invoice melody@afpa.com. We need you to continue to address the challenges ahead.

Food Safety Courses (virtual):

Introduction to HACCP Feb. 2 - $350

FSVP Foreign Supplier Verification Program - March 22-23 - $675

Download registration or melody@afpa.com

Remember contact AFPA for your GAP assessment or consulting needs to receive AFPA members rates!

is hosting a special virtual event on January 19 - 11-Noon (EST) Lone Jespersen will be the Key speaker (Be ahead of the game when it comes to microbial indicator testing). Register is free: https://register.gotowebinar.com/register/6395056904820835852?source=PDF

GMP, Preventive Controls & HACCP Implementation Virtual Instructor Led

March 23-24 (only 5 spots left)

or May 4-5

$800/person - Learn how to successfully implement a GMP & Preventive Controls compliant HACCP system. Recognized by the International HACCP Alliance & include an exam.

Overview of HACCP; Hazards & Controls
GMP's & Prerequisite Programs
Preliminary Steps to Hazard Analysis
Critical Control Points & Critical Limits
Monitoring
Corrective Action; Verification Procedures; Record Keeping

Read more or download registration

or simply melody@afpa.com

WORKPLACE HEALTH & SAFETY - Schedule

in person attendance have covid protocols in place & includes lunch

OHS Roles & Responsibilities for Managers/Supervisors - Part of supervisory competency requirements. Anyone that directs the work of others by any title.

Lethbridge - March 11

Calgary - March 4

Hazard Assessment

Calgary Feb 4; Edm Mar 3

Incident & Accident Investigation

Calg Feb 11; Edm Mar 10; Leth. Feb 10

$450/person - 1 day in person courses.

Program Building - Teaches how to properly build & Implement your HS system.

March 17-18 Edm or March 24-25 Calg

$725/person

Internal Auditor - Dates TBA

ONSITE bookings also available.

Joint HS Committee or Representative - $450 - MANDATORY for HSC co-chairs & HS reps, however any committee members or worker interested in health & safety would benefit.

Lethbridge - Feb 24
Calgary - Feb 25; March 31
Edmonton - March 30

VIRTUAL instructor led OPTIONS;

Roles & Responsibilities - February 17
Joint HS Committee/Rep - February 18

$375/person (with electronic manual + $25 for printed)

Auditor Refresher - Virtual Instructor Led - $300

March 2 or April 15

download registration or description

or simply melody@afpa.com

Canada’s labour law changes, related to harassment in the workplace, came into effect on Jan.1, 2021. These changes tie in directly to questions 3.11 thru 3.17 of the COR audit for AFPA members in the PIR program, but are now equally applicable to any organization and workplaces. Reference the audit tool on the AFPA website, the specific bullets and related information contained must be incorporated into existing company policies as they are now required to meet compliance, both for Canadian Labour and Ab. OHS laws. HR and Workplace Safety must work together to ensure these critical policy updates are made, with required worker training or awareness provided to all staff. Psychological Safety is about doing the right thing by everyone in the workplace...and it’s also the law!

So, awareness and prevention training in psychological safety, compliant harassment and violence policies & procedures, and ‘competent person’ investigations are now required and must be properly addressed in both HR and Workplace Safety programs. AFPA’s OHS Roles & Responsibilities course and WCB’s new Psychological Awareness workshop are excellent training resources for key staff.

Pandemic programs

Additional or updated online COVID-19 resources

COVID-19 pre-departure testing and Transport Canada’s Interim Order
Lists of Acts and Regulations - OIC 38 - Minimizing the Risk of Exposure to COVID-19 in Canada Order (Prohibition of Entry into Canada from the United States)
COVID-19: Compassionate entry for travellers and limited release from quarantine
Use ArriveCAN to enter Canada
Help for ArriveCAN (cross border students information to non-exempt section)

COVID-19 Vaccines and Treatment

INDUSTRY NEWS

Safe Food for Canadians licenses coming up for renewal - some food licences expire, renew now

Some Safe Food for Canadians (SFC) licence holders will need to take action now to ensure they renew their licence before it expires on January 15, 2021 while others will expire in the days and weeks that follow.

If you have an SFC licence, it can be renewed online through your My CFIA account. Submit your request for renewal asap to allow sufficient processing time. You can do so up to 120 days before the expiry date. No matter how early you apply, your renewed SFC licence will be valid for 2 years from the original expiry date.

If your licence expires, your business will no longer be permitted to conduct licensed activities in accordance with the Safe Food for Canadians Act and may be subject to enforcement actions and removal from export eligibility lists. You will then need to apply for a new licence and be issued a new licence number, which may further disrupt your business activities including the ability to request export certification.

Need assistance? Here are useful links.

My CFIA User Guidance

How to renew your permission

Issues logging into your existing My CFIA Account

Help us determine your risk level

If you have not already done so, complete the Establishment Risk Assessment (ERA) questionnaire during your renewal process to ensure your establishment risk is accurately documented. Parties without a completed ERA questionnaire are considered high-risk facilities by the CFIA and are prioritized for more frequent inspection.

AFPA is currently working on a fill in the blank; generic SFCR template manual geared towards small manufacturers) and it will be available late summer. However, we currently do a lot of work with small members that are setting up their SFCR programs to meet CFIA requirements; so if you need assistance or want more information contact melody@afpa.com.