Before formal government guidance existed, the produce industry was already advancing food safety best practices. In 1997, in collaboration with partner trade associations, Western Growers released a foundational food safety best practices document, setting the stage for the government guidance that followed in 1998 and establishing that a prevention-focused approach is the smartest approach to ensure safe produce. 

Since then, this work has expanded into a robust portfolio of best practices across commodities, production practices and emerging issues. Each document incorporates input from scientists and technical experts as well as insights of fresh produce companies and diverse stakeholders. Western Growers’ goal is to develop practical, science-based guidance that evolves over time. Our process has also advanced to include open comment periods and regular updates, enabling the creation of “living documents” that can be continuously refined as new knowledge, science and data emerge. 

Today, the process continues to evolve, bringing in a broader range of stakeholders and incorporating more structured opportunities for input, alignment across the supply chain and expanded outreach and education. 

We are currently advancing best practices in commodities such as cantaloupe, onions and areas such as adjacent land use, among others. Visit our produce safety best practices page here.

To engage with us and join Western Growers’ best practices efforts, reach out to Sonia Salas at [email protected].