Canadian Quality Milk On-Farm Food Safety Program - Centre ...

Canadian Quality Milk
INTRODUCTION
The Canadian Quality Milk Program (CQM) is an on-farm HACCP-based food safety
program developed by Dairy Farmers of Canada. The CQM program is designed to
maintain milk and meat safety on dairy farms through improved management practices,
increased communication and effective record keeping.
The key concepts discussed in the Reference Manual are:
• Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP) approach
• Best Management Practices (BMPs)
• Critical Control Points (CCPs)
• Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs)
• Corrective Actions
Dairy producers are in the business of producing food. They aim to ensure that the
safety, flavour and quality of their milk and meat will satisfy the highest expectations of
the food industry and consumers alike.
Food safety is everyone’s business in the dairy industry. Milk quality and safety is
checked after the producer harvests the milk, before the bulk tank milk graders pick the
milk up and before milk is unloaded at the processor. Dairy steers, young stock and cull
cows’ carcasses are graded and inspected for safety. Only safe meat is used for human
consumption. Results that fall outside standards lead to warnings, rejection of milk or
meat, penalties and loss of market access.
End product testing for milk and meat are reasonably effective detectors of food safety
and quality problems; however, by that point, the defects have already occurred and a
dollar loss sustained. On-farm food safety programs strive to help producers use control
measures at strategic points during production to prevent, control and reduce problems.
For example, any substances being used in or on a cow or in the cow’s environment
should have been assessed as a potential food safety risk by an appropriate regulatory
authority.
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June 2010