California Giant Berry Farms has announced in a press release that Eric Valenzuela has filled the newly created position of food safety manager at the company.
Mr Valenzuela will focus on grower support, facility operations, and working with the company’s third party auditor to optimise food safety practices throughout the operation.
Mr Valenzuela will also manage the technical and administrative aspects of the food safety system and serve as the primary point of contact with auditors and customers responding to their food safety needs.
Previously the food safety activities were managed by the operations and field department staff. Since the company’s operations have expanded with increased acreage and addition growing regions outside California, a dedicated food safety employee was added to the team.
Having served as quality assurance and food safety manager in his previous position with another produce company, Cal Giant said Mr Valenzuela is ready to provide the group with his expertise in this area immediately.
“We are looking forward to working with Eric to increase the activity level and our response times in our food safety program, said Lucky Westwood, operations manager.
“A full time dedicated individual should afford us the opportunity to incrementally raise the quality of everything we do in this important area. He will work directly with growers and customers to ensure we are doing everything possible to ensure the safety of our products, added Mr Westwood.'
Mr Valenzuela is from Salinas, California, and is based at Cal Giant's corporate offices in Watsonville.
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