With the ink barely dry on the 2nd Edition Commodity Specific Food Safety Guidelines for the Fresh Tomato Supply Chain, over 20 North American tomato supplier, buyer and auditor representatives assembled in Orlando, Fla. this week to begin developing harmonized audit standards for tomato field operations. Building on the California Tomato Farmers’ Best Management Practices, which are based on the 2nd Edition of the Tomato Guidelines, the group began to spell out exactly how an auditor is expected to assess compliance with the standards. "More and more, growers are faced with audits and auditors with inconsistent standards," said Dr. David Gombas, United Fresh senior vice president of food safety and technology. "If we can narrow the gray area of what is and is not compliant while maintaining the flexibility that different types of tomatoes and different growing practices require, we can greatly reduce this source of growers’ frustration. However, we will succeed only if all stakeholders participate, which is why we’ve opened the initiative to all interested parties." The group will meet again in December to continue the process, with a final document expected in early 2009. Contact David at 202-303-3411 for more information on how to participate.