Food Safety
Accountability • Uniformity • Consistency
Accountability
Uniformity
Consistency
The California Cantaloupe Advisory Board (CCAB) represents the highest level of commitment to safety and quality for all cantaloupe consumers. California cantaloupes are produced under the only mandatory food safety program in the U.S. produce industry that invites government auditors to inspect all aspects of cantaloupe production operations. These audits are based on 20 years of University research with input from government and food safety experts.
The CCAB food safety program relies on United States Department of Food and Agriculture trained auditors employed by the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) instead of privately contracted auditors. This ensures accountability, uniformity and consistency across the industry.
Government auditors verify that food safety practices are being followed throughout a handler’s operations, including growing, harvesting, packing and cooling. The inspections include announced and unannounced audits. California cantaloupe producers are required to be in compliance with all food safety checkpoints that make up the California Cantaloupe Advisory Board audit.
Safety Standards
The California Cantaloupe Advisory Board (CCAB) requires that all cantaloupe growers, packing operations, and cooling facilities in the state undergo mandatory government food safety audits. These announced and unannounced audits are conducted using a set of food safety standards that were developed based upon 20 years of university research along with input from government, food safety and farming experts. The food safety systems put in place under the CCAB allow for these science-based standards to be updated as new information or science becomes available.
The California cantaloupe food safety standards cover these key areas:
General Requirements
All cantaloupe handlers are required to have a complete food safety compliance and implementation plan signed by senior management. This plan includes a systematic risk-based hazard analysis of all operations from farm to shipment. A written trace back program is also required.
Environmental Assessments
Pre-season and pre-harvest assessments are required to make sure conditions that can affect food safety, such as animal intrusions, flooding, proximity to animal feeding operations, etc. are not present, or have been properly mitigated.
Water Use
A written procedure for water testing, sampling frequency, collection methods, etc. is required along with records cataloguing all irrigation water systems used. In packing facilities, any water used directly on cantaloupes or food contact surfaces must meet EPA microbial standards for drinking water. Water management plans must include preventative controls, testing and monitoring provisions and verification procedures.
Soil Amendments
Certification and documentation for soil amendments, including compost and fertilizers, are required by the program.
Worker Safety, Hygiene and Training
Audits verify that all operations are in compliance with the program’s requirements in the areas of worker practices, hygiene, safety, field sanitation and employee training provisions. Click here for the complete list of the California cantaloupe food safety standards.
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AUDIT CHECKLIST
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Members
The cantaloupe handlers listed have been certified through a mandatory government audit to be in compliance with all requirements of the California Cantaloupe Advisory Board food safety program for the 2022-2023 season.
ATB Packing
Dan Andrews Farms
DFI Marketing
Del Bosque Farms
Del Mar Packing
Devine Organics
Dulcinea Farms
Ernie Strahm & Sons
Fisher Ranch
Five Crowns Marketing
Legend Produce
Mainas Farms
Martori Farms
Mike Abatti Farms
Pacific Sales
Palm Tree Packing
Pappas & Co.
Roger Oswalt Produce
Stamoules Produce
Turlock Fruit Company
Van Groningen & Sons
Westside Produce