For Divine Flavor, complying with the regulations of the FSVP program is a priority, since these guarantees that the processes in the field and in the packaging place, are accurate and constantly updated by the farmer.
The audit focused on the FSVP program carried out by Agrosupport of Mexico involves the supervision of two main bases: water treatment and training of personnel at the production units. The audit consists in: the opening meeting, the visit to the production unit, the visit to the packaging place and the documentation, all these points help in the traceability from the start of the supply chain until the product leaves the packaging place.
José Rosario García (Auditor of Agrosupport of Mexico) and Pilar Rivas (Agrofesa Food Safety Officer) starting the audit meeting.
The harvest staff washing their hands to demonstrate how they do it.
During the opening meeting, the purpose of the visit by Agrosupport of Mexico and the areas that will be carefully reviewed are established, in addition to involving the necessary personnel and determining the times to carry out the corrective actions.
On the field, the auditor reviews:
1.- The hygiene of the staff: At this point the beginning of the supply chain from the farmer is reviewed. The main objective is that the personnel involved in the harvest have clear requirements for each of the processes to maintain good hygiene and sanity in the field, starting from handwashing, having short nails, keeping the work tools clean and how to act in any emergency situation. Personnel should also be trained to know how to react when a problem arises, in addition to giving them the necessary recommendations to solve them in the best way and helping them to take the corresponding corrective actions.
2.- Perimeter care and field integrity: The control of the field is essential to prevent the entry of wildlife and that these interfere with the product. All areas must be 100% controlled so that the field is not contaminated at any time. If problems are observed, improvements are required to manage the field and implement protocols that help staff to keep it clean.
José Rosario García (Auditor of Agrosupport of Mexico), Raúl Díaz (Food Safety Officer) and Manuel Quintana (Field Manager) making a review of the meshes that protect crops.
The food safety team and the Agrosupport team taking a tour by the perimeter of the field.
3.- The agrochemical warehouse: It is important to keep an updated inventory of the chemicals they have; this allows that all agrochemicals have a registration numbers that apply to all Mexican and US government regulations, regardless of whether it is an organic or conventional agrochemical. An adequate identification of all the inputs and tools that are used is essential for their correct administration.
José Rosario García examining the information on the labeling of the agrochemicals.
Personnel in charge of the inventory and administration of the harvest tool and agrochemicals.
At this picture you could see a safety supplies to be used in case of spillage of any agrochemical product.
4.- The packing place: This is the last section of the audit and the final stage of the supply chain from the farmer. It includes multiple areas that must be supervised and in which it must be in constant maintenance to achieve the correct food safety.
Quality managers doing an inspection of the packaging materials.
José Rosario García doing a review of the pest control traps.
During the tour at the package place, two areas are reviewed, since when the product arrives from the field until it leaves ready for shipment to the Divine Flavor warehouse:
1.- Receiving the product: For traceability purposes, cleaning processes, packaging and product quality control, personnel must show their knowledge about hygiene within the facilities and also about the policies of the procedures implemented by their administrators. A good cleaning inside the packaging will be the best example of good manufacturing practices, which reduce the risks of contamination, starting from the cleaning of the floors, the use of facial protectors, avoiding the use of jewelry or accessories and constant revision of the traps.
2.- Storage and packaging: Having a cold room and a warehouse of clean materials will avoid problems due to possible rodents, in addition, it is very important to keep micros and pesticide analyzes updated to ensure the health of the packaging place and prevent contamination of the products.
Personnel in charge of food safety documentation from the grower side.
In order to conclude the audit, an extensive review of the documentation of both the field and the packaging place is made. The food safety officer on the part of the farmer must present all the updated documentation that demonstrates the constant training that the personnel receives, as well as the analyzes of water carried out within the field, this will serve to show that all protocols are followed up.
For more information, please contact:
Michael DuPuis
Coordinador de Relaciones Públicas, Divine Flavor, LLC
+1 (520)-281-8328
mdupuis@divineflavor.com
