Food Safety

Cereals and Grains

• Foodborne pathogens associated with cereals and their products:
   
  • Bacteria are a minor threat since the low moisture content of cereals during storage prevents their growth. Organisms such as Salmonella may occasionally be present as a result of faecal contamination but the bacteria most commonly found surviving on cereals and flours are species of the sporeformer Bacillus.
     
  • Mycotoxigenic moulds produce toxins mainly associated with cereals and their products. Cereals can be infected with moulds, sometimes in the field, but more commonly during improper storage. Once Mycotoxins are present, they can persist through processing into the final food product.

• Food Safety Information
   
• Processing
   
• Inspections
   
• Legislation
   
• Related Link
   
• References

• Key Points in Ensuring Food Safety in the Bakery
   
• Wheat (grain)- One of the nine most common food allergens
   
• Code of Practice for the Prevention and Reduction of Mycotoxin Contamination in Cereals, including Annexes on Ochratoxin A, Zearalenone, Fumonisins and tricothecenes (Codex)
   
• Bakeries Rise to Food Safety and Defense Challenges
   
• Food Safety Information for Bakers (Food and Environmental Hygiene Department -Hong Kong)

Research

• The Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada’s Cereal Research Centre (CRC) uses applied science and new technologies to make Canada a world leader in food safety, innovation and environmentally responsible production. List of recent publications.
• The Canadian Grains Commission's Grain Research Laboratory, works on grain safety assurance. Also, it researches on development of analytical methods and study of toxic substances in grains. They can measure toxic substances (pesticides, mycotoxins) in cereals, oilseeds and pulse crops.
• The Canadian Malting Barley Technical Centre provides technical assistance to the malting barley and brewing industries.

Sanitation

• Housekeeping in Grain Processing Plants - NEW
   
• Cleaning and Sanitation Guidebook (OMAFRA)
   
• Cleaning and sanitizing chemicals acceptable to the CFIA (CFIA's Reference Listing of Accepted Construction Materials, Packaged Materials and Non-Food Chemical Products)

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 Processing

Labelling

• 2003 Guide to Food Labelling and Advertising (CFIA)
   

Cleaning Equipment
 

• Can-Seed Equipment Ltd.
   

 Inspections

• Processed Products Establishment Inspection Manual (CFIA)
• Inspecting Facilities that Export Grains and Field Crops (CFIA)

 Legislation

Federal Acts and Regulations:

• Canada Grain Act
  • Canada Grain Regulations

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 Related Links

Associations

• Canola Council of Canada
• Canadian Wheat Board
• Flax Council of Canada
• Manitoba Canola Growers Association
• Manitoba Pulse Growers Association
• Baking Association of Canada
• Canadian Special Crops Association
• Canadian National Millers Association
   

Resources

• Modern Baking Magazine
• Baking Management Magazine
• Grain Storage (University of Manitoba)
   

Industry Information

• Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
• Canadian Grain Commission
  • Canadian Identity Preserved Recognition System (CIPRS)
• Canada Grains Council
• Canadian International Grains Institute

 References

• Canadian Grain Commission
• Canadian Food Inspection Agency
• Cereal Research Centre
• CODEX Alimentarious

For information on the Food Safety Program contact the CVO/Food Safety Knowledge Centre.  For technical information, call 204-795-7968 in Winnipeg; or e-mail foodsafety@gov.mb.ca. For general information, contact your local GO Centre.