Certification standards organisation GlobalGAP has launched a new office in Bethesda, Maryland, close to Washington D.C. in the US, in a bid to offer local support to retailers, foodservice and producers in the US and Canada.
As part of the move, GlobalGAP's Kristian Moeller will temporarily relocate to Washington D.C. to establish the office, where he will continue to operate his role of secretary, supported by the home office team based in Cologne, Germany.
GlobalGAP is also working closely with the United Fresh Produce Association on its GAP Harmonisation Initiative, sharing protocol and certification experience with the goal of providing consistent standards requirements to growers.
The US-based Food and Drug Administration is looking closely at initiatives in the private sector such as GlobalGAP and how they can contribute to the overall food safety effort, with the possibility of those companies boasting GAP certification being regarded as lower risk and therefore receiving fewer official checks.
No comments yet