California Leafy Greens Marketing Agreement Takes Decertification Action
SALINAS, CA - As it continues serving the industry and ensuring rigorous food safety practices to ensure the safest leafy greens on the market, the California Leafy Greens Marketing Agreement (LGMA), along with the California Department of Food and Agriculture, recently decertified a member company.
Companies found to be out of compliance with the program’s food safety standards can be decertified. This means they cannot present themselves as a certified LGMA member, nor use the LGMA Service Mark, which is relied on heavily by government agencies and produce buyers for supplier verification. As the organization noted in a recent release, the loss of certification potentially means a loss of sales, including product being turned away from international borders.
The LGMA audit, conducted by the California Department of Food and Agriculture, verifies compliance with over 500 food safety checkpoints. LGMA members are required to remain in 100 percent compliance. If an audit identifies a non-conformity, the member must submit corrective actions to the LGMA Compliance Officer. Companies that fail to demonstrate full compliance are subject to decertification.
To view an up-to-date list of LGMA members and their certification status, click here.
We at ANUK applaud the CA LGMA in its efforts to promote food safety in the leafy greens market.