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BACKGROUNDRecent trends in food marketing indicate that fruit and vegetable growers and packers are being required to provide certification verifying the products they sell have been produced or packed under the safest means practicable. Many producers have performed a hazard analysis of their food operations and have implemented hazard analysis critical control point (HACCP) plans for their packing, storage and transportation systems. In addition, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has issued Good Agricultural Practices (GAPs) to guide fruit and vegetable growers in minimizing the potential for microbiological contamination of their products. THE NEXT STEPIn order to meet the fruit and vegetable industry’s demand for third party certification services of its GAPs and HACCP practices, the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets’ Division of Food Safety and Inspection has developed the Produce Quality Assurance Program (PQAP).
GRADING & QUALITY CONTROL SERVICESInspection services for products listed below are also available through the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets. To arrange for an inspection or to obtain additional information, please call any of the offices that follow. Fresh Fruits & Vegetables Participants of PQAP include:Beak-N-Skiff - 2002 Carol Ann Produce Packaging Corporation Chazy Orchards CY Farms - 2002 DiCarlo Distributors Inc. - 2003 Eden Valley Growers - 2005 Fowler Farms - 2005 Ed Hansen Farms Inc. Goodness Gardens Inc. - 2007 Hudson River Fruit Distributors - 2003 Kast Farms, Inc. - 2005 J. Kings Food Service Professionals Inc. - 2003 Lynnette & Sons Farm - 2004 Northern Orchard Company, Inc. - 2005 Orchard Dale Fruit Farms - 2005 Anthony J. Piedmonte Farming and Marketing Inc. Russo Produce Company, Inc. - 2007 George W. Saulpaugh & Son Inc. - 2001 Smith Bros. Farms, Inc. - 2005 S.J. Starowitz Farms - 2006 Wafler Farms, Inc. - 2005 Amos Zittel & Sons For more information on the Department’s Produce Quality Assurance Program, please contact us at any of our regional offices listed below.
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