Okanagan Tree Fruit Company

"The Okanagan Tree Fruit Cooperative commits to producing safe wholesome foods utilizing production in the right process environment by properly trained people using good management practices.”

Why a food safety program?

Governments and consumers are demanding a safe and secure food supply. Although the food supply in Canada is already one of the safest in the world, we must be able to demonstrate it.

BC Tree Fruit Ltd's customers are REQUIRING packers to demonstrate food safety at the production level to match their efforts at the retail level.

As a receiver, packer and shipper of minimally processed fruit, the Okanagan Tree Fruit Cooperative acknowledges our responsibility to produce safe food.

What is a food safety program?

A food safety program is a complete audit of all food processing practices from receiving to shipping. We have developed a traceable record based system that evaluates and maintains safe food processing practices.

How will food safety work?

A food safety program introduces and enhances record keeping and auditing to verify safe food practices are being performed.

How will growers be affected?

Growers have a responsibility to minimize potential food contamination through good agricultural practices as prescribed by the Integrated Fruit Production Guide For Commercial Tree Fruit Growers. An on farm registration and audit program will be implemented starting in the summer of 2008 to ensure safe fod practices on all suppliers' farms.

Growers will notice more signage in the plants restricting access and encouraging safe processing practices.

Growers will still have access to view running fruit but food safety requires growers and other visitors to sign in at the front desk and wear a visitor badge.

Food safety requires a Bin Use Policy. Grower related issues are as follows:

Harvest bins are for FOOD USE ONLY.
Harvest bins are the property of the contracted packing organization.
Harvest bins are to be used exclusively for shipping contracted fruit to the contracted packing organization or by approved sales agents.
No unauthorized transportation or use of bins will be tolerated. All growers will be subject to random field bin audit as to the location and use of harvest bins. Fines will be payable for non-food use or non contracted use of harvest bins.

How will employees be affected?

As a plant employee:

There is a responsibility to minimize potential food contamination through good personal hygiene and conduct.
You will notice more signage restricting visitor access and encouraging safe processing practices.
Where your duties apply to food safety, standard operating procedures will be written to guide employees on consistent and safe food practices.
Where your duties apply to food safety, employees may have additional record keeping duties.
There will be workshops and/or information bulletins for worker awareness and training. Employee’s are an important part of the food safety process.

Any questions?

The Quality Development Department will be implementing the Food Safety Program. If you have any questions please call:

Bob Fisher-Fleming
Quality Development Manager
Okanagan Tree Fruit Cooperative
250-979-2613

bfisherf@bctree.com