Azzule Offers SFG Sustainability Standard
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Through the collaborative efforts of Azzule and the Sustainable Food Group (SFG), the SFG Sustainability Standard™ is available for producers, handlers, and manufacturers of agricultural products interested in communicating sustainability performance to their buyers. The certification standard uses multiple internationally-recognized environmental, economic, and social welfare measures and may be added as an addendum to food safety audits, saving auditees time and money, or as a stand-alone assessment.
The science-based Standard covers 16 categories recognizing best practices, performance metrics, and continuous improvement. Producers participating in other sustainability programs, including the National Organic Program, Sysco’s Sustainable/Integrated Pest Management Initiative, the Potato Sustainability Initiative, and LEAF Marque, can have their efforts recognized within this new certification. Read on »
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Check Out Our Updated Manual Development Toolkit
The Toolkit provides guided templates to address all of the issues likely to confront you when developing your plan and preparing for your audit.
Read on »
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PrimusLabs Launches Updated Website
PrimusLabs unveiled a new website last month... The new site contains client guidelines, accreditation information, as well as info on our pesticide residue analyses and microbiological services and more. Read on»
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PrimusGFS v3.1
Now Available
PrimusGFS v3.1 became available for use on July 17, 2019. In addition, PrimusGFS v3.0 will continue to be available for use until January 15, 2020. After January 16, 2020, only v3.1 may be used. Read on »
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Explaining FDA Detention and Import Alerts
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The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has reported that 15% of the overall food supply in the United States is imported from other countries, including 55% of the fresh fruit and 32% of the fresh vegetables consumed domestically. The USDA and FDA are the federal agencies responsible for ensuring our food supply is safe. The USDA focuses on meat, poultry, and dairy products while the FDA assumes control of most of the rest, including fresh produce. With food constantly streaming across the borders, the FDA has a big job in ensuring that the produce entering the country is safe.
The FDA performs regular inspections and checks to ensure that imported food adheres to US standards concerning pesticides, pathogens, and additives. When a product is found to contain pesticides exceeding the
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tolerance or MRL (maximum residue limit), the importer is placed on Import Alert. When a shipper is on the Import Alert list, the FDA requires additional evidence that each subsequent shipment is suitable for entrance into the US. Essentially, each shipment is on hold until the importer can prove it meets US standards. The FDA calls this “detention without physical examination” (DWPE). In an effort to free up agency resources, this evidence can be submitted in the form of a third-party private laboratory report conducted by a laboratory unaffiliated with the FDA. Read on »
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