Voluntary Food Safety Regulations May Prevent Unwanted Control

Segments of the U.S. produce industry are initiating self-regulating policies they hope will prevent government regulations they don’t want.

Those voluntary regulations also serve as marketing advantages, according to a panel of experts who discussed food safety issues recently during the Texas Produce Convention in McAllen.

“Our members use certification markers, based on scientific standards,” said Scott Horsfall, CEO, California Leafy Green Marketing Agreement, Sacramento.

Participation in the agreement is voluntary but the organization does have teeth. “Membership requires corrective action on any non-compliance,” Horsfall said.

The organization was created following the 2006 spinach contamination, which cost the industry $150 million. “The market agreement put into place an organization that enforces food safety standards,” he said. It also includes good agricultural practices (GAP).

Participation requires a lot of documentation, including a list of growers and production plans. Horsfall said other commodities are looking at the LGMA model.

Source: Southwest Farm Press