The Importance of GAP Certification

FOOD SAFETY is a high profile topic in the fresh fruit and vegetable industry. It has
gained media coverage nationwide and has received the attention of government
agencies such as the Food & Drug Administration and the U.S. Department of
Agriculture. The food safety record in the avocado industry has been excellent with
very few reports of food borne illness. The constant pressures from food retailers
and food service establishments to address proper food safety issues have
prompted the industry to adopt the Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) program and
Good Harvesting Practices (GHP) for growing avocados in California. There are
currently no government regulations enforcing food safety standards for avocado
growers. Mission Produce prides itself in providing only the safest fruits and
vegetables to our customers. We share responsibility with our growers to ensure
total satisfaction for our consumers. It is our goal to facilitate the process by which
our growers and harvesters become GAP certified.

Mission Produce is taking a proactive stance in pioneering food safety in the
avocado industry. Our growers are encouraged to stand with us in minimizing the
food safety risks of fruits and vegetables. Addressing the common risk factors
outlined in this program will result in a more efficient response to emerging concerns about microbial safety of our fresh fruits and vegetables. Being ahead of the industry puts us on top of the game and first in line for success.

GAP certification benefits everyone in the line of production and helps prevent future food safety issues. The program seeks to identify all potential sources of food contaminants that may exist on a farm or ranch. The program is designed to give our growers all the tools they need to control and monitor any potential contamination sources commonly found on a ranch. Realistically, every ranch or farm has some potential food safety issues. A successful GAP or GHP program manages these issues effectively.

Key Components of GAP and GHP

Key components of the grower operation have been identified that have the
strongest impact on Food Safety. We strive to give our growers guidance and
understanding in making informed decisions about food safety issues. To assist
the growers and harvesters we have developed food safety guidelines that will
outline both GAP and GHP standards. The basic idea behind both programs is
the same – identification and reduction of potential contaminants.

Land Use

Avocado groves set for production should have a sustainable history. New ground
for groves must not have been previously used as a landfill, a toxic waste site or a
feedlot operation.

Farm housing and farm ranch buildings located in the groves must have a properly
working septic tank and have a working restroom. The occupants that reside in the
farm housing must respect the orchard by practicing common sanitary practices and
maintaining the residence responsibly.

Adjacent land use is also a key component of GAP. It is important to note if your
neighbor is using his land for a feedlot operation or other use deemed hazardous
to the crop.

Water Source and Distribution System

Water used in avocado production involves numerous field operation applications
including irrigation and applications of pesticides and fertilizers. Water has the
potential to be a direct source of contamination and vehicle for spreading localized
contamination in the grove.

Water used to mix pesticides must be of good quality and free of pathogens. Any
contaminant in such water could be transferred to an entire crop. Wherever water
comes in contact with the crop, its source and quality dictates the potential for
pathogens and chemical contamination which has the potential to lead to food
borne illness.

Performing annual water testing is the most effective way to show that your water
source is clean and fit for use.

Back-flow control or prevention valves installed on the irrigation system are the
cheapest and most effective way to prevent chemical contamination of your
water source.

Ranch Security

Employees should be trained to take notice when they do not recognize personnel
on the ranch or if they notice any suspicious behavior. Most growers do not have
fencing on their ranches and that is fine.

As long as there is a standard operating procedure written to mitigate problems
associated with wildlife and or non-employed persons on the ranch then you will
remain compliant.

Worker Hygiene

Employee hygiene and proper sanitary practices during harvesting of the fruit and
transportation of the fruit can play a crucial role in reducing or minimizing the
potential for microbial contamination of the fruit.

Good Harvesting Practices should always be observed while handling the fruit.

Microbial contamination can occur in the grove during pre-harvest and harvest
activities from contact with contaminated soils, fertilizers and water. Employees
can be a primary vector for unintentionally contaminating fruit.

Pests

It is important for the grower to control the activity of ranch pests that may live in the grove. Examine your specific growing area to identify obvious sources that can lead to contamination. For example, if you have a wood pile on your ranch you should also have a control mechanism for the rodents that will be living in the pile.

Continuous cleaning practices in the groves can lead to very effective rodent control. Following the GAP program will help prevent future hazardous rodent activity.

GAP and Food Safety Training

There are no mandates at this time to have a GAP Program, but a good employee
training program is essential to maintaining compliance.

Growers and harvesters are encouraged to provide a training review on food safety
risks and assessing them in the field. Employee training and re-training is a vital key to the success of reducing risks to food safety on the ranch.

Sanitary Facilities

Avocado ranches are primarily located in less populated areas away from homes
or businesses. Having sanitary hygiene facilities is important for good employee
hygiene and food safety.

Ensuring safe management and disposal of the waste from the mobile facilities is
vitally important to controlling any potential contamination issues in the field.

Have a procedure for containment and treatment of any effluent discharge.
Operators should be prepared in the event of any incidental leakage or spill of
effluent in the field.

Animal manure represents a significant source of pathogens – particularly dangerous pathogens such as Escherichia coli 0157:H7. Fecal matter is known to harbor Salmonella and must be closely managed to limit the potential for contamination.

Animal manure is commonly used as crop fertilizer in the agricultural community to
increase or maintain organic matter content in the soil. Properly treated, manure or
bio-solids can be safe and effective. However, if untreated or improperly treated use of manure or bio-solids significantly increases the chance of food borne illness.

The safest way to fertilize your crop is to use premixed inorganic fertilizers and have them applied by a licensed applicator.

The grower is required to maintain records of all purchases and subsequent
applications for the calendar year.

Pesticides

All pesticide usage should be documented through Pesticide Use Reports (PURs)
that are then submitted to the county in which the farm resides.

Pesticides should be applied according to label instructions of the manufacturing
company, while following all federal and state ordinances.

If different from the irrigation supply, water used to mix pesticides must be from a
clean source demonstrated by testing results.

When applying pesticides a trained and licensed applicator should make all
recommendations and applications.

Equipment used to apply chemicals should be inspected to assure the equipment is
working properly.

Storage of agricultural chemicals in the production area should be assessed and
controlled to minimize the potential for chemical safety hazards.