Ontario Greenhouse Vegetable Growers reaffirm food safety commitment

The Ontario Greenhouse Vegetable Growers (OGVG) has reaffirmed its commitment to food safety, traceability, and transparency. Following recent concerns regarding lettuce, the organization emphasized that food safety incidents involving specific products should not be seen as representative of all fresh produce.

Ontario greenhouse growers produce tomatoes, peppers, and cucumbers in controlled indoor environments. These systems protect crops from soil contact, rain, runoff, and wildlife, which are common sources of contamination in outdoor farming. This controlled setting allows for consistent quality and robust traceability.

Commercial operations in the region undergo annual food safety audits by independent, accredited third-party auditors. These audits follow programs recognized by the Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI) and cover sanitation, water quality, and employee hygiene. OGVG Executive Director Richard Lee stated that growers operate under some of the most rigorous regulatory requirements in North America.