FAQS

Affiliations

Shafer-Haggart’s quality control personnel have a wealth of experience in all facets of food production, from HACCP planning to plant auditing, individual product specifications, consumer response and Government liaison. Our customers can be assured delivery of quality products.

Shafer-Haggart is one of a select few companies in Canada approved to operate under the prestigious Canadian Food Inspection Agency QMPI program (Quality Management Program for Importers).  Through the hard work of our Quality Control Division, we have in fact been granted the "Enhanced"status which recognizes our achievements in quality control and allows for easier movement of goods from production to customer with minimal government involvement.  This Enhanced QMPI program is subject to regulatory verifications and routine audits by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency.

Shafer-Haggart's Quality Control Division can help guide both suppliers and customers through a maze of regulations, acts and other legalities that can hinder international business.

Shafer-Haggart is able to ensure compliance with:
Fish Inspection Regulations (F.I.R.)
Fish Products Standards
The Canadian Food and Drugs (F&D) Act
Nutritional label requirements as set out by Health Canada
Weights and Measures Act

In addition to regulatory compliance in Canada, Shafer-Haggart handles United States Food and Drug Administration (USFDA) concerns.

We have experience in and can also assist with European Union (E.U.) issues, United Kingdom (U.K.), and Australia / New Zealand Food Authority (ANZFA)

FAQS

1) What is the shelf life expectancy of canned products?
3 years, unopened. There is a government website you can visit for more answers:
http://www.inspection.gc.ca/english/fssa/concen/tipcon
/lifee.shtml

2) Are there any indicators of spoiled canned products?
If the can is severely dented, swollen or bloated, if there is no liquid when opened, or if the product itself is black.

3) Is it normal that the inside of the can is black?
Yes, this can happen with both fruit and vegetable products and isn't considered a health hazard and is due to a chemical reaction between the acid in the product and the metal of the can.

4) Is canned food safe to purchase if the tin is dented?
As long as the can is not severely damaged and has just minor dents, it is alright for consumption.

5) What do the numbers and letters on
the can mean?
These are the can codes, representing production date and manufacturing code.

6) Why does it look like there is a piece of glass in
my canned salmon?
On occasion small crystals having some resemblance to pieces of broken glass may be found in canned fish products. They are colorless, transparent and tasteless. Such crystals are the chemical substance known as magnesium ammonium phosphate, or 'struvite'. They are quite harmless, and can be crushed under your thumbnail on any hard surface.

7) Is your salmon wild or farmed?
All of our salmon is wild. We do not use farmed fish.

Affiliations:

Canadian Association of Importers and Exporters
Canadian Council of Grocery Distributors
Assocation of Food Industries
Inc GS1 Canada