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STATEMENT Irwindale, CA - March 24, 2008 - In compliance with the information contained in the alert from the FDA regarding cantaloupes, Ready Pac has proactively detained any raw material from the named grower and we have ceased all production of cantaloupes from this grower. Regarding product in the market, we have for many years utilized a proprietary technology in the washing of cantaloupe that is designed to effectively eliminate pathogens, including salmonella. Over the years, this process has resulted in millions of pounds of safe fresh cut cantaloupe. Our food safety protocols applied to fresh cut melons assures ongoing safety of our products. We believe our fresh cut fruit products containing cantaloupe in the market are safe for consumption. Ready Pac Foods is committed to produce healthy, wholesome, and safe products for our customers and consumers. Should you have further questions about Ready Pac's safety policies or our products please feel free to contact Brian Zomorodi, VP - Technology & Quality, directly at 626-856-8686, extension 9337. |
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STATEMENT Irwindale, CA - August 6, 2007 - Through nearly 40 years of operation, Ready Pac has earned an impeccable reputation for producing only the finest quality products. Providing the highest quality safe products has always been Ready Pac's utmost priority. Ready Pac's team of highly respected experts is dedicated to improving food safety throughout the industry. While no Ready Pac product has ever been implicated to a foodborne illness, we consider any produce related illness is one too many. To that end, Ready Pac supports regulators and participates in the industry-wide efforts to make any improvements in current practices in elevating the effectiveness of food safety programs. Microbiological testing has been for many years part of Ready Pac's product/process verification program. As part of our enhanced microbiological testing in commodities such as iceberg lettuce and spinach, we are testing for selected pathogens such as E.coli O157:H7 and salmonella. Additionally, we conduct testing on irrigation water for generic E.coli. We are aggressively implementing the California Leafy Greens Marketing Agreement and GAP metrics. In the past year alone, consumers have enjoyed nearly two billion servings of our products for their great taste, nutritional value and convenience. Our team at Ready Pac takes consumer's confidence extremely seriously, and we will continue to earn it through adherence to our rigorous operating standards in the planting of the seeds right through to the distribution of finished products to our customers. These standards are the foundation of our operations and designed to achieve what we call "diamond quality" performance. |
Ready Pac Food Safety Program
Updated: June 2007
The following outline provides an overview of Ready Pac Food Safety Program. This includes food safety in the field and processing plants.
Field Food Safety
Good Agricultural Practices
Each farm must have a documented GAP (Good Agricultural Practices) program that follows the FDA's "Guide to Minimize Microbial Food Safety Hazards for Fresh Fruits and Vegetables" and the "Commodity Specific Food Safety Guidelines for the Lettuce and Leafy Greens Supply Chain (GAP metrics)".
Third Party Audits
GAP Audits - All raw suppliers are required to perform a third party audit in compliance with Commodity- Specific Leafy Greens and GAP Metrics.
Frequency - once per season
- Farm GAP program must be audited by a recognized and approved Third Party Auditing entity with a minimum of once per year/season. Electronic audit reports must be sent to Ready Pac Corporate Quality
- Raw Produce Suppliers' must satisfy the requirement of the audits with no critical violations.
- Cooling facility Food safety program must be audited by a recognized Third Party Auditing entity, on an annual basis.
Ranch Risk Assessment (based on potential hazards of water, soil amendment, and surrounding environment)
- Fields that has been previously flooded (at least 60 days prior to planting) or if they catch water run off from commercial cattle operations or cattle pastures must not be used to grow produce for Ready Pac Foods. A Food Safety Audit must be conducted prior to pre-approval for future crop use.
- All produce must be harvested from fields that are within Pre-established Safety Buffer Zones from commercial cattle operations, cattle pastures or other wildlife that could contaminate the field or the produce. The buffer zones shall be determined based on the "Ranch Food Safety Risk Assessment".
- Proactive animal control measures such as rodent traps, noise devices to scare off birds, fencing, barriers, etc. must be implemented to control animal activity in the growing areas. Specific control measures shall be based on the "Ranch Food Safety Risk Assessment".
- Soil amendments or crop inputs containing animal manure must be tested for E. coli 0517:H7, Salmonella spp and fecal coliforms (each lot). COA must be available for verification.
- Chemical or organic soil amendments must have a certificate of analysis verifying that they do not contain animal manure. COA must be available.
Responsibility: Grower, 100% of ranches and Ready Pac, 10% for verification.
Reports must be kept on files and available for review.
Pre-Harvest Food Safety Inspection (to assure no hazards are present before harvest)
Each harvest block will be inspected at 7 days or less prior to harvest to reduce the risk of cross-contamination by any potential hazards.
Responsibility: Grower 100 % (10% verified by Ready Pac through internal audits)
Reports must be kept on files and available for review
Harvest Crew Audits
Harvest crews are audited for GAPs and other Food Safety requirements
Frequency: Twice per Growing Season
Responsibility: Ready Pac internal audits
Soil Amendment Verifications
Verification includes documentation for type of soil and COA. Testing for pathogenic microorganisms follows GAP metrics.
Frequency: Each lot
Responsibility: Grower 100 %
Reports must be kept on files and available for review
Irrigation Water Testing (Generic E. coli)
All irrigation water used for growing Ready Pac raw products must be tested for Generic E. coli according to the Leafy Greens GAP Metrics.
Frequency: Monthly
Responsibility: Grower 100 %
Reports must be kept on files and available for review
Current Raw Product Testing (Fields)
Raw product microbiological testing is performed on different commodities in the growing fields or on arrival at the processing plants.
Traceability
- Each supplier and Cooling operation must have a documented Lot Trace Back /Recall Program, with trace back capabilities of ranch and lot within 2 Hrs.
Plant Food Safety
All Ready Pac facilities are operating under a comprehensive Food Safety Program in compliance with regulatory agencies and customer requirements.
Ready Pac, in partnership with IEH Labs, has constructed an in-house microbiological laboratory to implement product testing and process verification systems. Click here for more information on the IEH on-site laboratory at Ready Pac.
Raw Product Testing (Plants)
Ready Pac is in the process of developing and implementing a comprehensive raw produce testing based on “Hold & Release” Program to test incoming raw products.
Industry/Customer/Regulatory Involvement
Ready Pac is committed to improve the food safety of fresh produce. We will continue with our active involvement in developing and enhancing food safety programs for the industry.
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