International Fresh Produce Association Unveils Winners of Root Cause Analysis Award; Jennifer McEntire Discusses
WASHINGTON, DC - International Fresh Produce Association (IFPA) is always keeping fresh produce growth and development top of mind. The association recently turned the spotlight to a few of its members during its inaugural Global Produce & Floral Show, presenting awards to key industry players who have made vital efforts to advance root cause analysis (RCA) as it seeks to alter the outward perception of RCAs.
“Companies that conduct thorough investigations into issues or near misses should be celebrated, not penalized,” says Dr. Jennifer McEntire, Chief Food Safety and Regulatory Officer at IFPA. “As has been demonstrated in other industries, openly celebrating proactive problem solving and sharing of knowledge fosters a culture of excellence.”
The winners of the 2022 award are Farmer’s Fridge, IEH Laboratories, and Proexport Papaya. Any IFPA member was eligible to apply for the award, which was judged by a subgroup of the IFPA Food Safety Council based on the composition of the RCA team; management commitment to RCA; execution of the RCA including the process used, depth of the work, documentation and verification of the RCA; as well as the how the outcomes of the effort were used to develop corrective and preventive actions, according to a press release.
The three awarded companies will be featured in an IFPA webinar later this winter, during which they will highlight their approaches to evaluating root causes and how their efforts led them to implement preventive actions.
According to IFPA, conducting an effective RCA is an essential skill demonstrated by the most effective and forward-thinking produce companies. However, the organization notes that there are many barriers to conducting a thorough RCA, such as expertise, resources, regulatory and reputational issues, and more.
Awarding companies like Farmer’s Fridge, IEH Laboratories, and Proexport Papaya for continuously uncovering advancements in terms of RCA, IFPA is continuing to pursue vital developments for the fresh industry.
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