Good natured SFQC!
29 April 2010
Good Natured SFQC!
SFQC has recently been appointed by innovative Scottish based soft fruit supplier, Angus Soft Fruits, to carry out independent verification visits of its suppliers of ‘Good Natured' produce.
Angus Soft Fruits is one of the leading suppliers of strawberries, raspberries, blueberries and blackberries to UK multiple retailers. A majority of the UK fruit is sourced from co-operative, Angus Growers. ASF also works with other suppliers in the UK and growers in Holland, Spain, Morocco, the Middle East and Southern America to supply the best quality soft fruit to multiple retailers 12 months of the year.
In 2004 Angus Soft Fruits recognised consumer concerns over pesticide residues on fruit to reduce the reliance on pesticides. To conform to these demands would mean re-thinking the way plants were grown and the techniques used in growing. This is exactly what they did and went right back to basics. They developed the method called biological pest control which has cut out the need for spraying whole blankets of pesticides over fields. In 2007, after small-scale trials in 2006, the production system was commercialised and open to their Good Natured Growers in Scotland.
The product range has expanded and there are now Good Natured potatoes, tomatoes, peppers and cucumbers and recently launched herbs (basil, coriander and parsley). Products are packaged in a sustainable manner using biodegradable packaging and even the package sleeves can be composted. Good Natured produce is currently retailed by the Co-op, J Sainsbury, Asda and Morrison.
Angus Soft Fruits recognises the importance of being able to demonstrate that the pesticide-free credentials of Good Natured produce can be verified. This is why they have appointed SFQC to work with them to do this. SFQC auditors carry out unannounced audits at Good Natured sites and verify that pesticide-free protocols are being followed. Samples of products at production and packing sites are taken and independently tested by an accredited laboratory to demonstrate freedom from detectable pesticide residues. All these activities are carried out independently of Angus Soft Fruits.
Good Natured products have a great future and SFQC is delighted to be working with Angus Soft Fruits to help secure this.