Rosenhayn, NJ – F&S Produce Company Inc., a leading manufacturer, marketer of fresh-cut produce and other refrigerated value-added products, announced it has once again achieved the highest level of SQF (Safe Quality Food) Certification for its complete line of products that enter all distribution channels including fresh cut retail and food service, industrial fresh, industrial IQF and USDA items.
F&S was an early adopter among produce companies in achieving the highest level of SQF Certification, which is SQF 2000 Level 3. F&S was first certified as SQF 2000 Level 3 in April 2010. Doug Nicoll, PhD, director of technical services at F&S indicated that “SQF 2000 Level 3 is a global comprehensive food safety and quality management system that is sought after by many US food processors. As a result we have developed a world class quality system at F&S and we are finding that many of our customers are requiring or requesting that we have this program in place.” SQF is administered by the Food Marketing Institute (FMI), and is designed as a food safety program but also covers product quality, a feature that is unique to a certification program of this type. The certification independently verifies that food safety plans have been implemented in accordance with the HACCP method and that the company adheres to applicable regulatory requirements and is effectively managing food safety and quality.
SQF is an accepted food safety and quality program that is recognized by the Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI). Under the umbrella of GFSI, 8 major global retailers came to a common acceptance of GFSI benchmarked food safety audit programs in June 2007, which included Ahold, Wal-Mart, Delhaize, Carrefour, Tesco, ICA, Metro and Migros. These global retailers, as well as many other food service, retail and manufacturing companies, have now joined this approach and have begun to require their suppliers to be certified by one of the four GFSI auditing programs, which includes SQF. SQF is the most common GFSI-accepted programs that is used by US processors and growers.
Sam Pipitone, President and CEO at F&S mentioned “the SQF 2000 Level 3 Certification is something our company is very proud of achieving. It takes a total commitment by all departments on a daily basis to maintain these high standards and this re-certification is verification of our total company’s commitment to this initiative. Most importantly this re-certification helps us ensure to all our current and potential customers that they are dealing with an industry leader in food safety”.
F&S works closely with our retail, food service and industrial customers R&D and quality assurance departments to ensure that their products meet the needs of their customers. Sam Burleson, VP of Sales & Marketing at F&S stated “SQF 2000 level 3 re-certification allows F&S customers to have confidence that all F&S products are safe, wholesome and nutritional. Microbiological specifications and other quality parameters are established and mutually determined between F&S and each of our customers. Whether our customers are buying fresh cut fruit, fresh cut vegetables, fresh sliced bagged apples, IQF vegetables, bulk fresh vegetables for reprocessing or sandwiches and wraps they know they are buying the finest quality and safest products available for their customers”.
F&S services fresh cut retail and foodservice accounts throughout the Northeast and industrial fresh and IQF accounts nationally from its 125,000 sq. ft. operations in Rosenhayn, New Jersey. The company has an extensive quality assurance system in place and in addition to its SQF 2000 Level 3 Certification is also Organic certified, Orthodox Union Kosher Certified, and Halal Certified. Pipco Transportation, an F&S sister company, is a dedicated in-house distribution company that services the entire northeastern United States. More information about F&S Produce can be viewed at www.freshcutproduce.com.
Source: F&S Produce Company Inc.
