Gills Onions, the market leader in fresh-cut onions, was awarded the SQF 2000 Level 3 accreditation for Comprehensive Food Safety and Quality Management Systems this month. The SQF 2000 program is a three tier certification system for food manufacturers that recognizes companies who implement HACCP-based management systems and best practices to meet food safety legislation.
“Gills Onions takes very seriously our customers’ faith in the safety and quality of our products,” said Nelia Alamo, Director of Sales & Marketing. “We understand the reality that other fresh onion choices are available in the marketplace, and we must continue to exceed our customers’ expectations to prove that Gills Onions is the right choice for them. The Level 3 SQF 2000 certification is just one way we can quantify our commitment to excellence in every aspect of our operations.”
Just one of Gills Onions’ many food safety audits, the SQF certification program is administered by the SQF Institute (SQFI), a division of the Food Marketing Institute (FMI). After being awarded the SQF 2000 Level 2 accreditation in December 2010, Gills Onions implemented a Food Quality Plan, not required at SQF Levels 1 and 2, that underwent evaluation and obtained SQF 2000 Level 3 accreditation in December 2011. In order to obtain level 3 certification, the Food Marketing Institute requires that an organization develop a Food Quality Plan that outlines ways in which food quality will be maintained, including standard operating practices, work instructions that adhere to the level 3 certification standards, and process controls to monitor deviations from normal operations. In addition, the plan is required to include feedback from a food quality risk analysis and actions that would be taken should an organization experience those food quality threats.
Gills Onions is a 26-year old, family owned and operated grower and food processor with the most innovative fresh onion processing plant in the world. In concert with sister company Rio Farms, the Gill brothers manage over 15,000 acres of farmland and 300,000 square feet of processing and warehouse facilities. For more information, please visit http://www.gillsonions.com.
Contact
Nelia Alamo
(209) 669-9625
