California and Florida tomato producers unified on food safety
California and Florida tomato producers unified on food safety
Meeting July 9 in Orlando, FL, with a group of the industry's larger and more respected foodservice operations, retailers and wholesalers, representatives from the California and Florida fresh tomato industries outlined a comprehensive, coordinated and ongoing effort to unify food-safety practices for U.S. tomatoes.
Speaking on behalf of the Florida industry was Reggie Brown, executive vice president of the Florida Tomato Exchange, with Ed Beckman, president of the California Tomato Farmers cooperative, representing his members, which produce nearly 90 percent of the fresh-market tomatoes from California.
"The California and Florida tomato industries have worked together for years to ensure both growing areas are in sync when it comes to the development and adoption of scientifically based food-safety practices," Mr. Brown said in a July 10 press release. "Together, our two regions produce over 80 percent of all fresh tomatoes grown in the U.S. It is very important the issue of food safety be addressed uniformly in both regions for the benefit of consumers and the trade and we are doing that."
"A primary goal of the California Tomato Farmers is for standardized food- safety criteria to be developed and implemented in all U.S. growing areas and eventually in Canada and Mexico as well," Mr. Beckman added in the press release.
Mr. Beckman noted that the North American Tomato Trade Work Group was formed several years ago to address this very issue. "A single food-safety program based on sound science and endorsed by government health agencies is the fresh tomato industry's ultimate goal. We are also urging the distribution side to utilize best management practices when handling our products."
The presentations made by Messrs. Brown and Beckman were part of a "tomato summit" organized by the United Fresh Produce Association and attended by executives from foodservice operations such as McDonald's, Subway and Yum Brands, along with retailers such as Wegman's and wholesale, repacking and packaged vegetable companies such as Taylor Farms. The topic was concern about a perceived fragmented food-safety system for fresh tomatoes.
Both Mr. Brown and Mr. Beckman acknowledged that there are differences in their two programs when it comes to certain farming practices unique to the geographic regions and climatic conditions. Also, the procedures to verify food-safety standards are different with Florida planning a mandatory, state- sanctioned inspection program for the coming year.
Meanwhile, Mr. Beckman explained that the California Tomato Farmers cooperative members have agreed to mandatory government inspection by the U.S. Department of Agriculture to ensure compliance with its set of food- safety standards.
The two regions are also working together to improve and define standards, determine audit criteria and to fund additional research. Both groups have maintained close and direct contact with Food & Drug Administration and state health agency officials about their food-safety efforts.
As an outcome of the meeting, an industry task force under the direction of the tomato group was created to help ensure that all U.S. tomato producing regions are following similar guidelines. The expanded approach will look at practices for growers, shippers, repackers, fresh-cut processors, foodservice and retailers.
Speaking on behalf of the Florida industry was Reggie Brown, executive vice president of the Florida Tomato Exchange, with Ed Beckman, president of the California Tomato Farmers cooperative, representing his members, which produce nearly 90 percent of the fresh-market tomatoes from California.
"The California and Florida tomato industries have worked together for years to ensure both growing areas are in sync when it comes to the development and adoption of scientifically based food-safety practices," Mr. Brown said in a July 10 press release. "Together, our two regions produce over 80 percent of all fresh tomatoes grown in the U.S. It is very important the issue of food safety be addressed uniformly in both regions for the benefit of consumers and the trade and we are doing that."
"A primary goal of the California Tomato Farmers is for standardized food- safety criteria to be developed and implemented in all U.S. growing areas and eventually in Canada and Mexico as well," Mr. Beckman added in the press release.
Mr. Beckman noted that the North American Tomato Trade Work Group was formed several years ago to address this very issue. "A single food-safety program based on sound science and endorsed by government health agencies is the fresh tomato industry's ultimate goal. We are also urging the distribution side to utilize best management practices when handling our products."
The presentations made by Messrs. Brown and Beckman were part of a "tomato summit" organized by the United Fresh Produce Association and attended by executives from foodservice operations such as McDonald's, Subway and Yum Brands, along with retailers such as Wegman's and wholesale, repacking and packaged vegetable companies such as Taylor Farms. The topic was concern about a perceived fragmented food-safety system for fresh tomatoes.
Both Mr. Brown and Mr. Beckman acknowledged that there are differences in their two programs when it comes to certain farming practices unique to the geographic regions and climatic conditions. Also, the procedures to verify food-safety standards are different with Florida planning a mandatory, state- sanctioned inspection program for the coming year.
Meanwhile, Mr. Beckman explained that the California Tomato Farmers cooperative members have agreed to mandatory government inspection by the U.S. Department of Agriculture to ensure compliance with its set of food- safety standards.
The two regions are also working together to improve and define standards, determine audit criteria and to fund additional research. Both groups have maintained close and direct contact with Food & Drug Administration and state health agency officials about their food-safety efforts.
As an outcome of the meeting, an industry task force under the direction of the tomato group was created to help ensure that all U.S. tomato producing regions are following similar guidelines. The expanded approach will look at practices for growers, shippers, repackers, fresh-cut processors, foodservice and retailers.
