Our Food Safety Commitment at apetito Canada

We all know that in care settings, every detail matters especially when it comes to food. Many patients and residents face compromised immune systems, or age-related conditions that put them in greater risk of foodborne illnesses.

For those already navigating these vulnerabilities, the food they’re served should never be a source of concerns. That’s why at apetito Canada, we treat food safety as a core part of care. It’s more than regulations. It’s about trust, dignity, and delivering care through every meal.

Who is Most at Risk?

Health Canada highlights that certain groups are at a significantly higher risk for food poisoning:

• adults ages 60 and over
• people with weakened immune systems
• people who are pregnant
• children ages 5 and under

For older adults in particular, the immune system may struggle to protect them from food poisoning. Chronic health conditions like diabetes or kidney disease can increase this risk even more.  While many people recover from foodborne illnesses completely, seniors are more likely to face serious complications, such as kidney failure or anemia, which can have serious longer-term health effects on them (Health Canada, 2025). 

Our Commitment to Food Safety at apetito Canada

As the leading food producer for hospitals, long-term care, and community meals across Canada, we take our responsibility seriously. We know that our meals must be more than nutritious. They must be dependable, consistent, and above all, safe. Here’s how we make that happen:

1. Strict Allergen Control & a Nut-Free Facility
   
   To prevent cross-contamination, we carefully segregate ingredients with allergens at every stage. Allergens are clearly labelled upon outsourcing and remain separated throughout storage, handling, processing, and packaging.
   
   In addition, our facility is 100% nut-free. We do not handle or store any nut-containing ingredients, completely eliminating the risk of cross-contact with nut allergens.
   
2. A Strong Food Safety Culture
   
   We believe that building a strong food safety culture is no longer optional, it’s the new way of things, specially in healthcare environments.
   
   At apetito Canada:
   
   
   • Every plant staff is trained in Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP)
   • We hold annual refresher courses to keep our staff aligned with the standards
   • Our equipment is cleaned daily under high-sanitation protocols
   
   Our Quality Assurance team, which includes HACCP coordinators, SQF practitioners, and quality supervisors, oversees food safety programs across departments and shifts, making sure no detail is overlooked.
   
   
3. Positive Release & Foreign Material Control
   
   Before new products leave our facility, it goes through a Positive Release Process. This means we review all documentations, confirm critical control points (CCP), and ensure that every safety requirement is met. 
   
   To add another layer of protection, every product is screened using metal detectors or x-ray systems as part of our Foreign Material Control Program. This ensures the meals we deliver are not only nutritious and consistent, but also safe at every level.
   
   
4. Certifications That Reflect Our Standards
   

Our food safety practices are not only strong, but also certified:

• • We are federally registered plant, inspected and certified by Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA)
    
    
  • We are Safe Quality Food-certified, as part of the Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI), recognizing our commitment to globally recognized food safety and quality systems

Our People Make it Happen

Every meal we produce is backed by the dedication of more than 200 team members working at our 80,213 sq. ft federally registered facility in Orléans, Ottawa. From sanitation and packaging, to quality control and logistics, every person plays a role in upholding our commitment to food safety. 

Antonious Tadros, our Quality Assurance Manager at apetito Canada shares how food safety is truly a team effort.

“Behind every safe meal is a team that never compromises. Food safety isn’t just a requirement, it’s a daily commitment to protect trust, health, and lives.”

For us, food safety is everyone’s responsibility, and our people bring that commitment to life, every single day. Together, we are not just delivering food. We’re delivering care, peace of mind, and protection for those who need it the most.

References

Health Canada. (2025, June 5). Food safety for vulnerable populations. Government of Canada. https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/food-safety-vulnerable-populations/food-safety-vulnerable-populations.html