Produce Company is Top of the Crops
Produce World IFP, based in Isleham, Ely, has become one of just a handful of food businesses in the UK and across Europe to achieve top marks following a British Retail Consortium (BRC) unannounced audit.
The 31 businesses with A* status account for just 1% of all food businesses that use the BRC accreditation system. Produce World IFP joins the Group’s organics specialist, Produce World RBO, in the top 1% - the latter was the very first produce site in the industry to achieve the coveted A* status two years ago.
Every food business in the UK wishing to supply products through retail is subject to the BRC audit process and must achieve a B grade or higher. However, it is up to the business whether it opts for an unannounced audit, which can take place anytime up to six months after its last announced audit. In opting for an unannounced audit a business commits to ensuring the maintenance of extremely high standards throughout the year, guaranteeing total conformity to the food safety standards set out by the BRC.
The audit on Produce World IFP was carried out in early September. The business specialises in the production and marketing of root vegetables, principally carrots and parsnips and is also regarded as an industry leader in the supply of fresh bunched beetroot and carrots, along with speciality carrot varieties such as Chantenay, Mignon, Autumn King, and Golden Beetroot.
Andy Mitchell, Technical Director at Produce World, said: ’With such a small number of businesses receiving this high accolade, it goes to show just how thorough the inspection teams are. I’m thrilled that this is the second of the sites I oversee to gain the top marks, first Produce World RBO and more recently Produce World IFP. It demonstrates just how robust the systems and procedures are at Produce World to gain the A* mark. The whole Produce World IFP team should be congratulated for its hard work throughout the year in maintaining a high standard that has been rewarded with this A* status!’
