Food safety certification | food handling certification | effective food safety programs | audit programs | prevention of food safety hazards

Food Safety is non-negotiable. Consumers and retailers are requiring everyone in the produce business to have an effective food safety program. But, for those companies seeking a higher level of recognition for their achievement and commitment to food safety, Davis Fresh Technologies offers the ProSafe Certified program.

Q: What is the ProSafe Certified program?

A: It is an Independent Third Party Audit Program based on documented compliance with the FDA "Guide to Minimize Microbial Food Safety Hazards For Fresh Fruits and Vegetables", Good Agricultural Practices, and where appropriate, Good Manufacturing Practices and HACCP.

Q: How do I get ProSafe Certified?
A: Our Davis Fresh food safety professionals have developed a three-step program which includes: A Food Safety Risk Assessment, Food Safety Risk Mitigation, and Final Audit and Certification. In order to receive the certification and the right to display the ProSafe Certified logo on your products, you must be in complete compliance with the applicable programs. Your food safety processes must be documented, and verified, and your compliance procedures built into your day-to-day operations.

Q: Why would I want to be ProSafe Certified?
A: The retail and food services industries continue to move to third party verification as a tool to determine which vendors are in compliance with Good Agricultural Practices. Davis Fresh is recognized by major retailers as an authorized third party auditor. Being ProSafe Certified gives you the right to display the ProSafe logo on your products to show your customers that your food safety program is documented and verified by food safety professionals.

Q: Won't simply having some sort of food safety program be good enough?
A: No. Because every produce grower, shipper, processor and handler may soon be required to have a food safety program, all suppliers may be viewed in the same way by their customers. The ProSafe Certified program is for those who are in partnership with their customers and intend differentiate themselves as "Preferred Suppliers".

Q: What makes ProSafe Certified different from the other Third Party Audit Services?
A: Davis Fresh is a group of highly trained produce professionals. We do not sell laboratory services but, instead, we are committed to food safety programs based on prevention of food safety hazards, as advocated by FDA, USDA and others. While testing water for contamination is important, product testing for microbial contaminants has limited usefulness and tends to be expensive. Davis Fresh helps you with a planned approach to preventing food safety problems that fits your unique produce commodity, and works with you to mitigate identified food safety risks. We help you with solutions.

Q: Is food safety my responsibility?
A: From field to fork, preventing food-borne illness is everyone's responsibility. New technologies can detect and characterize pathogens implicated in an outbreak and trace the source of contamination. With this increased awareness of food contamination and the growing concern about liability, businesses are searching for ways to reduce risk and product recalls, and to improve confidence in food safety systems and procedures. Assuring safer, pathogen-free produce depends on the prevention of contamination and Davis Fresh can help you with that prevention program.

Q: Can you guarantee my product will be risk-free?
A: No one can guarantee totally risk-free product. However, through continued compliance with GAP's and FDA guidelines, employee education and training, as well as follow-up work with all stakeholders, a program to reduce risks is very effective.