Major retailers are raising the bar on food safety, and certification is no longer a nice to have. It is a business necessity.
In this introductory webinar, we break down why food safety certification matters, what retailers are really asking for, and how certification can unlock new market opportunities for food and beverage businesses across Ontario and Canada.
From global giants like Walmart and Amazon to leading Canadian retailers such as Loblaw Companies Limited, Sobeys, Metro, and Costco Canada, retailers are increasingly requiring suppliers to hold GFSI recognized food safety certifications such as SQF, BRCGS, or FSSC 22000 as a condition of doing business.
These requirements are driven by risk management, brand protection, regulatory compliance, and growing consumer expectations around food safety and transparency.
Objective
This session will explain:
- What food safety certification is and what it is not
- Why retailers mandate certification and how it protects their supply chains
- Common certification requirements from Walmart, Amazon, Loblaw, and other major Canadian retailers
- How certification can improve operational discipline, reduce risk, and build buyer confidence
- When certification makes sense for small and mid sized food businesses and how to get started
Whether you are a manufacturer, processor, co packer, or brand owner looking to sell into large retail, e commerce, or private label programs, this webinar will help you understand the why behind certification and how it supports long term growth in a competitive retail landscape.
Agenda
- Introduction
- The Retail Food Safety Landscape
- Food Safety Certification Basics
- Business Benefits Beyond Compliance
- Getting Started: What to Expect
- Wrap Up and Q and A
Target Audience
This webinar is aimed at:
- Food and beverage manufacturers
- Processors
- Start ups and growing businesses
- Anyone supplying or planning to supply Canadian and global retailers
Language: English
Cost: No charge
Cannot make a live session? Register now and receive a complimentary recording after the live event.
Speakers
Jennifer Lott
Technical Development Director, SGS North America, Inc.
Jennifer Lott serves as the Technical Development Director, Food, at SGS North America, bringing over 25 years of expertise in food safety, quality management systems, and sustainability. Her background includes manufacturing, quality assurance, auditing, and consulting, with a strong focus on integrating sustainable practices into food safety programs.
At SGS, Jennifer has been instrumental in developing and implementing sustainable food safety management systems. She has led initiatives aligned with global sustainability standards to ensure food production processes meet safety requirements while promoting environmental responsibility.
Jennifer is also an accredited Lead Auditor and Trainer for standards including FSSC 22000 and BRCGS for Packaging and Packaging Materials. She trains professionals on incorporating sustainability into compliance and certification processes to support long term food safety goals.
Jason Crawford
Director, Membership and Industry Relations, Food and Beverage Ontario
Food and Beverage Ontario is the leading provincial professional organization for food and beverage processors across Ontario. As Director of Membership and Industry Relations, Jason oversees membership recruitment and retention, industry relations, sponsorships, events, and operations. He led the development of a successful co manufacturing and co packing program that benefits processors across the province. He works daily with companies across the sector, including many of Canada’s largest and most innovative food businesses.
Mohit McLaren
Sales Manager, North America, Pharmaceutical, Food, Training and Personal Care, SGS Canada Inc.
Mohit McLaren has over 10 years of experience in technical auditing and sales consultancy with SGS Canada and is a trusted partner to clients in the food industry.
His certifications include:
- ISO 9001, FSC, ISO 14001, OHSAS 18001, ISO 45001, ISO 27001
- EU GMP, cGMP, ISO 22716, 21 CFR 210 and 211, ICH Q7, GLP, GCP
- Food Safety, GMP, BRC, HACCP, FSSC 22000, SQF, Internal Auditor
- Sustainability and SMETA