Oxnard, CA (January 27, 2011) – Gills Onions, the market leader in fresh-cut onions, was awarded the SQF 2000 Level 2 accreditation for HACCP Based Food Safety Plans last month. Unique to other third party audit programs common in the fresh produce industry, SQF 2000 is a three tier certification system that recognizes companies who implement food safety programs beyond the fundamental industry standards.
“Ensuring customer faith in our food safety practices is always a top priority for Gills Onions,” said Nelia Alamo, Director of Sales & Marketing. “But just as important is our commitment to meet and exceed the quality standards of even our toughest customers. We take pride in our ability to deliver consistently excellent products, and the SQF 2000 certification results are just one more way for us to relay that message.”
2010 was the first year for Gills Onions to participate in the SQF certification program, administered by the SQF Institute (SQFI), a division of the Food Marketing Institute (FMI). The SQF audit is one of over a half dozen food safety audits that the company participates in throughout the year. In May, over twenty team members participated in rigorous training led by NSF Davis Fresh to ensure a thorough understanding of the high standards of the program including fundamental food safety controls, a food safety risk assessment, and an action plan to eliminate, prevent or reduce food safety hazards. All plant operations employees then underwent training with Director of Food Safety and Quality Assurance, Nivia Santiago, to educate them on their role in consistently meeting the program’s requirements.
Source: Gills Onions