CLASSIC COMMITMENT
FOOD SAFETY
Our Commitment to Food Safety
At Classic Fruit, food safety is our top priority. We ensure the highest standards for our melons by complying with the FDA Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) and its Produce Safety Rule, while exceeding these requirements with industry-leading practices.
Our PrimusGFS certification, a globally recognized standard under the Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI), underscores our unwavering commitment to food safety. This stringent certification enforces strict protocols across all farming practices, from soil and water management to pest control and worker hygiene, ensuring our melons are free from contaminants. PrimusGFS also guarantees full traceability from field to market, using advanced monitoring to maintain safe, high-quality produce. With these meticulous standards, our customers can trust every melon is grown with unparalleled care and safety.
We further strengthen our supply chain through the Business Alliance for Secure Commerce (BASC), ensuring secure and efficient handling of our melons during international trade. Random testing by the USDA and independent third-party labs upon U.S. arrival confirms our melons meet the highest safety standards.
Choose Classic Fruit for whole raw melons that are safe, traceable, and grown with exceptional care.
PrimusGFS (Global Food Safety) Certification
PrimusGFS (Global Food Safety) Certification is a globally recognized food safety certification for businesses in the fresh produce industry. It covers on-farm production, packinghouses, processing facilities, and distribution centers to ensure food safety compliance from farm to fork. PrimusGFS certification is a mark of excellence in food safety, ensuring safer products for consumers.
Tailored for Fresh Produce:
PrimusGFS is specifically designed for the fresh produce industry, covering good agricultural practices (GAP), good manufacturing practices (GMP), and food safety management systems (FSMS). PrimusGFS’ targeted focus ensures the audit addresses the unique risks of our products (fresh melons), more effectively than generic standards.
Global Recognition via GFSI:
PrimusGFS is benchmarked by the Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI), a widely accepted standard among major retailers and food service providers worldwide. PrimusGFS meets buyer requirements, ensuring our melon can access both domestic and international markets.
FSMA Compliance Support:
The Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) imposes strict rules on U.S. produce suppliers. PrimusGFS offers tools like the FSMA Report, which simplifies demonstrating compliance with the Produce Safety Rule. This additional regulatory adherence reduces legal and operational risks.
Comprehensive Supply Chain Coverage:
PrimusGFS audits span the entire produce supply chain—from field to packing to distribution. For Classic Fruit, this integrated approach ensures consistent safety across all stages of our operations, minimizing food safety gaps.
North American Market Strength:
PrimusGFS has strong recognition in the U.S., Canada, Mexico, and Latin America—key regions for melon production and trade. This aligns with our regional buyer preferences and leverages an established reputation.
Proactive Risk Management:
The standard’s emphasis on hazard analysis (HACCP) and corrective actions aligns with preventing contamination events—crucial for produce where food safety protocols are key. Classic Fruit sees this as a way to stay ahead of safety issues, protecting customers and our brand.
About BASC Certification
The Business Alliance for Secure Commerce (BASC) certification is a voluntary program aimed at improving security, compliance, and efficiency in international trade. It focuses on the protection of goods and services throughout the supply chain, ensuring that companies involved in cross-border trade meet high standards of security and safety, while also adhering to best practices in logistics, customs, and regulatory compliance.
Improved Security and Risk Management:
BASC Certification focuses on enhancing security protocols across the supply chain, particularly for businesses involved in international trade. For Classic Fruit, this means ensuring that shipments of melons and other products are protected from theft, tampering, or fraud. Enhanced security practices help mitigate the risk of supply chain disruptions, reducing losses and enhancing the company’s ability to fulfill customer orders on time.
Compliance with International Standards:
BASC Certification ensures that Classic Fruit complies with international trade security standards, making it easier to conduct business across borders. By meeting these standards, Classic Fruit ensures that its business operations align with global best practices, avoiding potential fines or sanctions due to non-compliance with trade security regulations.
Enhanced Reputation and Trust:
Obtaining BASC Certification helps Classic Fruit build a reputation for being a reliable and secure business partner. Customers and suppliers trust that Classic Fruit is committed to high standards of security, ethical practices, and operational efficiency.
Strengthened Partnerships with Customs and Authorities:
BASC-certified companies often have streamlined processes for customs clearance, which can expedite the import/export of goods. For Classic Fruit, this means fewer delays at customs, ensuring that fresh melons reach customers quickly and in good condition. Maintaining positive relationships with customs and government agencies also reduces the likelihood of fines or delays that could negatively affect the company’s bottom line.