Produce World Group’s organic vegetable business Produce World RBO has received the highest grading for the third year running following a British Retail Consortium (BRC) unannounced audit.
Produce World RBO grows and markets potatoes, carrots, swedes and parsnips.
It was the first fresh produce to achieve the coveted A* status three years ago and has received the award each year since.
In 2011, the group’s roots specialist, Produce World IFP, joined the handful of food businesses in the UK and across Europe that have achieved top marks.
There are 31 businesses with A* status and these account for only one per cent of all food businesses that use the BRC accreditation system.
The audit on Produce World RBO was carried out over two days at the end of March under version six specifications featuring new audit areas.
The company had also chosen to register for an unannounced audit.
Every food business in the UK wishing to supply products through retailers is subject to the BRC audit process and must achieve a B grade or higher.
Andy Mitchell, roots technical director at Produce World, said: “During all my BRC audits, which run well in to double figures now, this has been the toughest and most rigorous I have faced, it was a long and tough two days that really has tested Produce World RBO’s system to the absolute limit.
"I am proud to say that feedback from the auditor was very positive and he praised the business for how brave it is to be audited against the new version as well as doing it unannounced.
"I am thrilled that Produce World RBO has achieved the highest status three years running.”
Maria Taylor, certification manager at Cert ID Europe Ltd, said: “The whole Produce World RBO team are very positive, helpful and professional and they should be commended.
"We have audited many businesses in the last three months against the new BRC v6 standards which, unlike with Produce World RBO, have been pre-announced and they have not fared as well.
"Produce World RBO is a credit to the fresh produce industry and demonstrates outstanding standards.”
