SALINAS, CA - Taylor Farms’ SmartWash Solutions™ just hit double digits. Now in its tenth year of serving the fresh-cut produce industry, the food safety partner is celebrating a decade of accomplishments, including expansion into eight countries, forming several key partnerships, and treating over five billion pounds of produce each year, which represents approximately 20 billion servings annually of fresh produce—all without a single confirmed food-borne illness outbreak on a SmartWash system-protected wash line!

"SmartWash Solutions is the only all-in-one food safety company offering enhanced chemistry, process control equipment, data collection and management, annual hands-on training, and in-field service," said Steven Swarts, Director of Business Development.

SmartWash Solutions first began in 2006 after an E. coli spinach outbreak. Taylor Farms wanted to mitigate bacterial cross-contamination in fresh-cut produce environments, and SmartWash was its solution—and an award-winning solution at that. Now, ten years later, SmartWash Solutions has been recognized for its breakthrough technology and contributions to the fresh produce industry, including the following awards:

• Produce Marketing Association (PMA) Science & Technology Circle of Excellence Award (First-Ever, 2017)
• Food Quality Award by Dupont and Food Quality Magazine awarded to SmartWash customer Taylor Farms Foodservice (2013)
• United Fresh Food Safety Innovation Award: Best new product (2011)

"It was a tough competition, but ultimately our panel selected SmartWash Solutions because it has developed a solution to help packers and processors of fresh fruits and vegetables to monitor and enhance the quality of wash water in real time,” observed Dr. Bob Whitaker, PMA Chief Science Officer, when announcing the Science & Technology Circle of Excellence award. “We have all seen the tragic results of foodborne illness outbreaks, and we know what a challenge it is to be able to properly manage water quality—this company is working to address that challenge."

According to a press release, SmartWash Solutions has protected over 43 billion pounds of fresh-cut produce since its inception thanks to proprietary wash enhancers for both conventional and organic products and an industry-leading wash-water process controller. In addition, a revolutionary calibration system, paired with a data system providing real-time feedback, provides transparency for processors and their customers. The comprehensive system also benefits operational efficiency by reducing chemical usage and lessening demands for water, electricity, and labor.

Congratulations to SmartWash Solutions on ten accomplishment-filled years! And here’s to ten more!

Taylor Farms SmartWash Solutions™