"In an unusually challenging year, food hygiene has been especially important"

"At the end of what we can all agree is an unusually challenging year in every aspect of life, food hygiene has been especially important," the team with the UK greenhouse growers Flavourfresh says. Earlier this month, the company achieved the AA+ BRCGS Food Safety Certification, the highest possible score in Food Hygiene and Safety in the latest independent audit from BRCGS. "Premium food retailers demand premium food hygiene – and a demonstrable certification of the highest level for us is a huge affirmation to them and a guaranteed confidence stamp for the ongoing, consistent produce perfection that Flavourfresh delivers," they say. 

"We have been relentless in maintaining and improving the highest attainment in every procedure, policy and practice," they say. "Delivering premium tomatoes, blackberries, strawberries and blueberries to UK food retailers commands consistently high hygiene across the production process; from planting to harvesting, through the packing and finishing process and beyond."

This has involved attention to detail across documentation, training and best practice procedures and has been managed and coordinated by the company’s Technical Manager, Lynn Moore. "Lynn keeps a tight rein on standards, ensuring Quality Assurance procedures are followed at every step of every fruit and berry’s journey from seedling to supermarket. It is with enormous credit to Lynn and her team that these standards are not only met but are communicated and developed in line with legislation and advances."

Overseeing Operations, David Holding accompanied the BRCGS Auditors around the Flavourfresh facilities this week. "Taking into account all the strides forward the company have made, the Auditor was particularly impressed with the teams “positivity, knowledge and attitude to food hygiene” – elements that David, Lynn and the Flavourfresh team put great emphasis on."