US-based Tex Starr Distributing, the grower-importer of the super sweet papaya variety Royal Star and traditional variety, Sun Crest Maradol Papaya, has announced its compliance with GFS certification for its production and packing houses in Mexico.
All Royal Star and Sun Crest Maradol papayas are grown on certified orchards in Colima, Mexico, located near the Pacific coast and brought into the US through Tex Starr’s facility in Alamo, Texas.
“Food safety has always been our highest priority when growing and shipping our products,” said Lance Peterson, co-owner of Tex Starr Distributing.
“Since we planted our first seeds, we have always done everything possible to focus on and treat this part of our business as the foundation for everything we do here.”
Ever since the Papaya Import Alert was issued in October 2011, the FDA has asked more from all of the papaya growers in Mexico.
At the time of the original alert, Tex Starr claims to have been the only Mexican papaya grower with certified production and packhouses by the Mexican government managed agriculture organisation, Senasica.
“Now, with these two programs over lapping, every area of the operation has been identified to help eliminate any potential areas of concern,” the company said.
Royal Star papaya is available in US retail grocery stores in Arkansas, Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Louisiana, Maryland, Missouri, New Jersey, New York, Oklahoma, Texas and Washington.
The variety is also sold and available in retail grocery stores throughout Canada.
