The Canadian Beef Grading Agency
In this section:
About the Agency
Certified Graders
The Grading Process for High Quality Canadian Beef
About the Agency
The Canadian Beef Grading Agency (CBGA) is accredited by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) to assess grades in accordance with Canada’s national standards. The grading system functions to facilitate marketing and production decisions and to achieve greater consistency and predictability in eating quality.
In addition to grading, the CBGA is involved in certification of brands, such as those for beef produced from a specific breed of cattle. This independent verification assures buyers that the standards for Canadian branded beef programs are being fully satisfied.
Certified Graders
Only qualified graders are permitted to grade a beef carcass in Canada. Each grader must successfully complete a comprehensive training program approved by the CBGA.. Once certified, graders are regularly audited by CBGA officials and through the National Grade Monitoring Program administered by the CFIA.
The Grading Process for High Quality Canadian Beef
A carcass may be graded only after it has been inspected and received the meat inspection stamp indicating the beef satisfies all food safety requirements. Each requirement for quality attributes must be met to qualify for the Canada A, AA, AAA and Prime grades; any deficiency cannot be offset by other traits. Quality and yield grades can only be assigned to carcasses by a certified Canadian Beef Grading Agency grader.
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