Build a Stronger Food Safety System with the Food Safety Excellence Program
Free tools, resources and support designed to strengthen food safety, compliance and consumer confidence.
By The Centre for Meat Innovation & Technology
In Canada’s meat processing industry, strong food safety systems aren’t just a requirement; they’re a foundation for credibility and consumer trust. The new Food Safety Excellence (FSE) Program, powered by the Centre for Meat Innovation & Technology (CMIT), was created to support meat processors on their path to continuous improvement.
The FSE Program offers a free survey tool, along with resources and training opportunities designed to support processors as they strengthen and modernize their food safety systems.
WHAT IS THE FSE TOOL?
The FSE Tool is a quick, anonymous online survey designed to help meat processors understand where their food safety system stands today and receive a recommended next step aligned with their current operation.
The survey is completed online by the person responsible for food safety at the facility and typically takes less than five minutes to complete. The questions are simple and straightforward, using a mix of multiple-choice and yes/no questions that ask about current food safety systems in place.
Once completed, the online survey provides a single recommended next step aligned with your current operation.
Whether you’re a new processor building a food safety system from the ground up or an established operation looking to upgrade and/or modernize, the FSE Tool can help.
CLICK HERE TO TAKE THE FOOD SAFETY EXCELLENCE SURVEY
Through the FSE Program, processors can:
▸ Complete a 4-minute, anonymous online survey with no obligation
▸ Explore Implementation Support opportunities — provincially licensed meat plants in Ontario may apply for up to $30,000 in support
▸ Access CMIT food safety expertise to help interpret survey results
▸ Be considered for a Food Safety Excellence Program case study, highlighting real-world application and leadership in food safety
IMPLEMENTATION SUPPORT OPPORTUNITIES FOR ONTARIO PROCESSORS
Provincially licensed processors in Ontario can receive up to $30,000 in Implementation Support to help modernize food safety and traceability systems (paid directly to third-party vendors). This support can assist processors in assessing food safety risks, strengthening capacity to adopt protection and assurance systems, supporting employee training, and enhancing public trust as businesses grow.
To apply for this support, complete the Expression of Interest Form today.
TRAINING & LEARNING
The FSE Program also includes a variety of free educational and training resources for meat processors, including:
▪︎ LEARNING MODULES
Modules that guide processors through key food safety topics, including the value of food safety systems and the most common food safety frameworks in North America.
▪︎ TOOLS AND TEMPLATES
Free downloadable reference documents and templates to support improvements in food safety, record keeping, and implementation.
▪︎ ONLINE WEBINARS
Free one-hour webinars, as well as NSF-led virtual training sessions that include an exam and certificate. Topics include HACCP Level 1 and 2, Principles of Internal Auditing, Paperless Forms, Sanitation Practices, and more.
The Food Safety Excellence Program is designed for Canadian meat processors at every stage of growth. It provides a practical survey tool, along with learning and training resources, to help strengthen food safety systems and meet evolving market expectations. By investing in food safety today, processors can position their businesses for long-term success provincially, nationally and internationally. Strong food safety systems not only protect consumers, they also reinforce credibility and build trust.
CLICK HERE TO EXPLORE THE FOOD SAFETY EXCELLENCE PROGRAM TODAY
Food Safety Excellence tools and resources have been developed through funding provided by the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership (Sustainable CAP), a five-year, federal-provincial-territorial initiative.
