19fbtechreview.comMARCH 2024Frequent testing of water sources is mandated, governance processes in place for where water is stored, and very important is the evaluation of any nearby CAFOsin-field sanitation program, pest control, field equipment, agricultural chemical use, worker sanitation facilities, worker health and hygiene, employee training, and food security. These audits can span several days with walk throughs the field, water source, surrounding areas, and review of key documents and data. While there are many areas of focus during an audit, I want to focus on several areas that include water source, field equipment, and employee training. Water is the source of life, and no different for our variety of produce that we send to our consumers. Our overall preference is for drip irrigation, which is the safest for food safety, but also one of the most sustainable manners of which to not only feed our crops but also respect the scarcity of this resource. Frequent testing of water sources is mandated, governance processes in place for where water is stored, and very important is the evaluation of any nearby CAFOs. CAFOs are concentrated animal feeding operations. A typical farm assessment would also review if any CAFOs are near water sources, and appropriate risk assessment done for this operation which includes any required water treatment, monitoring, and training. Ensuring that our harvesting equipment are properly cleaning and sanitized is critical during harvesting operations. Key areas are the following; conveyor belts, inclines, transition points, hygienic design, open channel frames, stainless steel open belts, weld points. Routine checks are critical to ensure a safe food supply from our farms. We are about people, and consistent and regular engagement with our team members is critical to ensure that proper food safety programs are being implemented. We conduct regular on-site trainings, and train in a variety of areas; handwashing, appropriate clothing, injury procedures, security awareness, and overall health and wellness of all team members. At Fresh Del Monte we are responsible stewards of our planet, our people and communities, and continue to ensure that our consumers have product that is grown, harvested, and processed with the highest levels of food safety standards. Takashi Nakamura
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