AMS launches new quality monitoring program for processed produce
AMS launches new quality monitoring program for processed produce
WASHINTON -- U.S. Foodservice asked the U.S. Department of Agriculture to help develop a new testing service for processed produce, and now USDA is offering the new program to other buyers.
Chicago-based U.S. Foodservice is the first company to sign a yearlong agreement with USDA's Agriculture Marketing Service to provide the new quality monitoring program service at several of its distribution centers.
The fee-based service offers a snapshot view that allows AMS to collect samples of processed produce for graders to help assure products are meeting a company's quality specifications, said Terry Bane, chief of the Produce Products Branch of AMS Fruit & Vegetable Programs.
"This agreement underscores the commitment of U.S. Foodservice to the highest standards of quality, and will reconfirm that a consistent quality is maintained," AMS Deputy Administrator Robert Keeney said in a Feb. 5 statement.
After an AMS inspection, products that do not conform to assigned specifications are immediately reported back to U.S. Foodservice within a week. The benefits of the new program are that buyers can be notified electronically whether samples tested meet company specifications, said Mr. Bane.
AMS is expecting other foodservice companies, distributors and processed produce buyers to sign up for the fee-for-service Quality Monitoring Program.
"We can supply inspectors now," said Mr. Bane.
Chicago-based U.S. Foodservice is the first company to sign a yearlong agreement with USDA's Agriculture Marketing Service to provide the new quality monitoring program service at several of its distribution centers.
The fee-based service offers a snapshot view that allows AMS to collect samples of processed produce for graders to help assure products are meeting a company's quality specifications, said Terry Bane, chief of the Produce Products Branch of AMS Fruit & Vegetable Programs.
"This agreement underscores the commitment of U.S. Foodservice to the highest standards of quality, and will reconfirm that a consistent quality is maintained," AMS Deputy Administrator Robert Keeney said in a Feb. 5 statement.
After an AMS inspection, products that do not conform to assigned specifications are immediately reported back to U.S. Foodservice within a week. The benefits of the new program are that buyers can be notified electronically whether samples tested meet company specifications, said Mr. Bane.
AMS is expecting other foodservice companies, distributors and processed produce buyers to sign up for the fee-for-service Quality Monitoring Program.
"We can supply inspectors now," said Mr. Bane.
