On-farm food safety programs are developed by the national commodity organizations to be used at the farm production level. These programs are based on the principles of HACCP (Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point), an internationally accepted approach to ensuring the safe production of food. National commodity groups access federal funding for program development and recognition related activities from the Canadian Integrated Food Safety Initiative, which is administered by the Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada. Representatives from the national groups have formed a Canadian On-Farm Food Safety Program Working Group, which focuses on common issues and challenges relating to the development and implementation of these food safety programs. The national programs are eligible to receive recognition from theCanadian Food Inspection Agency, an important requirement when exporting agricultural products.

The following table provides information about on-farm food safety programs that can be used for the major agricultural commodities on Prince Edward Island. Although the web information and individual commodity programs vary in the degree of completeness, this list will serve as a starting point. Copies of the producer manuals are available for viewing from the provincial commodity organizations or Paul Jenkins, Agri-Food Systems Coordinator for P.E.I. Department of Agiculture & Forestry