November 19, 2007

ISSUE 1193

ON-FARM FOOD SAFETY STANDARDS FOR PRODUCE DRAW BACKLASH

FFVA has joined other produce industry members in responding to a letter sent by a group of retailers and food service providers to their suppliers along with a document called “Food Safety Leadership Council On-Farm Produce Standards.” The document was developed by a consortium of retail and food service companies who appear to be requiring their suppliers to comply with the standards as a condition of their business relationship.

After consulting with its food safety consultants, legal advisors and other industry organizations, FFVA, along with 22 other organizations representing a cross-section of the nation’s produce industry, sent a letter Nov. 14 to Larry Kohl, Walt Disney World Co.’s director of food Safety and a member of the consortium, expressing a list of concerns about the standards.

FFVA’s Marketing Division mailed a bulletin Nov. 7 to all Producer Members explaining additional details. The bulletin may be viewed at www.ffva.com/publications/bulletins/mar_nov7-07.asp. Producer Members may contact the Marketing Division at (321) 214-5200 with any questions