International Federation of Produce Standards – (IFPS)

IFPS is committed to Food Safety and has established a Board Committee to channel that commitment and focus. Its position on Food Safety is as follows:

  • The establishment of a single set of internationally recognized criteria against which food safety programmes are benchmarked
  • The outcome must encompass the total fresh produce supply chain
  • One global benchmarking system is preferable for the fresh produce sector

IFPS’ work in this area will be enhanced through having been granted liaison status with the International Standards Organization (ISO) on their Food Safety Management Committee - ISO/TC 34/SC 17 Management systems for food safety and observer status with Codex.

The Codex Alimentarius Commission was created in 1963 by FAO and WHO to develop food standards, guidelines and related texts such as codes of practice under the Joint FAO/WHO Food Standards Programme. The main purposes of this Programme are protecting health of the consumers and ensuring fair trade practices in the food trade, and promoting co-ordination of all food standards work undertaken by international governmental and non-governmental organisations.

From time to time we will post relevant Food Safety related updates, information and links on this page which may be of interest to members.

United Fresh is a founding member of the International Federation of Produce Standards (IFPS).

Objectives

  • In conjunction with stakeholders in the industry, to improve the supply chain efficiency of the produce industry through developing, implementing and managing harmonised international standards
  • To act as a forum for comment and discussion on issues relating to international standards as they affect the produce industry
  • To make recommendations and advocate appropriate courses of action in relation to standards that affect the produce industry
  • To develop, implement and manage an international standard for Price Look Up (PLU)
  • The doing of all such other things as are incidental or conducive to attainment of these objectives

Initial Areas of Focus

  • Industry Technologies - Product ID, application of product ID via RSS
  • Traceability – harmonisation of existing guidelines and Pesticides – information gathering regarding country-specific MRLs, legislative changes, implications for global trade, promotion of best practices
  • GAP (Good Agricultural Practices) – harmonisation of existing/proposed schemes, organic standards/certification

Members

  • Asociacion de Exportadores de Chile
  • Canadian Horticultural Council
  • Canadian Produce Marketing Association
  • Freshfel Europe
  • Fresh Produce Consortium (UK)
  • Frug I Com (Netherlands)
  • Fruit South Africa
  • Horticulture Australia Ltd
  • Norges Frukt-og Gronnsaksgrossisters Forbund (Norway)
  • Produce Marketing Association (USA) - Secretary
  • United Fresh (New Zealand) Incorporated
  • United Fresh Produce Association (USA) - Chair