GOOD AGRICULTURAL PRACTICE (GAP) FOR AQUAPONIC PRODUCE AND GLOBAL FOOD SAFETY INITIATIVE (GFSI) CERTIFICATION, 2020 UPDATE

In July 2019, CanadaGAP announced it would  phase out  Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI)  certification of aquaponics operations no later than 1 April 2020.  CanadaGAP cited concerns about chemical hazards and other contaminants , though  the decision was not based on any incident.  Hypothetical concerns  reportedly  arose  from research indicating plants grown in hydroponic operations could uptake pharmaceuticals (e.g., antibiotics, hormones, opioids) and potentially human pathogens.

CanadaGAP  claimed aquaponics operations would have until March 2020 to obtain GFSI certification from other GFSI certifying bodies . But  individual CanadaGAP certifiers terminated GFSI certification of aquaponics operations soon after the July 2019 press release. This has caused hardship  for aquaponics growers.

The paper  identifies the reasons why  the cited concerns  are aquaponics , which is incompatible with use of antibiotics. Pathogenic risk is reduced by nitrifying bacteria.

The paper identifies Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI) certifying bodies that continue to certify aquaponics systems, including GlobalGAP and USDA Harmonized GAP.

Finally,  the paper  contains  recommendations  aquaponic farmers can adopt to mitigation risk and reassure concerned consumers.