Food safety and quality is taken very seriously at Canadian Eastern Growers. Every effort is made to ensure all precautions are taken to grow a safe and healthy crop each year. Here are some of the processes we undertake.
Production Site:
Production sites are chosen carefully to ensure that no past land uses or adjacent land use can be a source of contamination to seed potatoes.
All agricultural chemicals used are appropriate for the intended crop and manufacturer’s label instructions are followed when applying chemicals.
Agricultural chemicals, cleaning agents, etc. are stored in a designated area separate and away from where seed potatoes are stored or graded.
Records are kept for the application of all agricultural chemicals.
Employees operating equipment for chemical/pesticide application are properly qualified to do so.
Equipment:
All equipment used for planting and harvesting is washed and sanitized before use in the seed potato field.
All transportation equipment/shipping trucks are cleaned and sanitized regularly and are only used for hauling potatoes.
All food contact surfaces (harvester, grading line, etc.) are non-abrasive, non-toxic and can withstand repeated cleaning.
Records are kept for all equipment cleaning and maintenance.
Storage and Grading:
All storages have pest control systems in place that are regularly monitored.
All storages are monitored for temperature and humidity control.
Sanitary foot dips are used before employees enter storage and grading areas.
All storages are disinfected before seed potato storage occurs.
Records are kept for all cleaning and maintenance of the storage and processing area.