Earlier this week, United Fresh brought together over 80
representatives from key organizations throughout the industry to
discuss and review of the Food and Drug Administration's Guide to Minimize Microbial Food Safety Hazards for Fresh Fruits and Vegetables, also known as the GAPs Guide.
The meeting, attended by representatives from FDA, along with
constituents from multiple companies along the fresh and fresh-cut
produce supply chain, provided the opportunity to discuss the successes
and areas for improvement in the decade old GAPs Guide
GAPs meeting attendees participate in one of four breakout sessions.
"The
GAPs Guide is arguably the most influential document ever written for
the fresh produce industry, and it was important that a broad spectrum
of the fresh produce industry be heard on how that document is changed
and used," said meeting organizer and United Fresh senior vice
president of food safety and technology Dr. David Gombas.
The
meeting included a series of presentations on the origin, adaptation
and amendment of the current GAPs Guide, and was followed by four
breakout sessions in which attendees explored the benefits and
obstacles presented by the Guide.
"In
looking at the composition of the previous Guide," said Gombas, "we saw
that only a small handful of our constituents were represented in its
language. I commend those stakeholders who made an investment in their
future by participating in the meeting and making their opinions known,
and I'm particularly grateful to FDA officials for their attendance and
willingness to consider these comments as they revise the Guide."
United Fresh Produce Association
1901 Pennsylvania Ave. NW Suite 1100
Washington, DC 20006
Tel: 202 303 3400
Fax: 202 303 3433 united@unitedfresh.org
