SQF Food Safety Code: Primary Plant Production – the GFSI Benchmarked Standard of Choice for the New Zealand Primary Produce Sector

By Bill McBride, SQFI Representative, Asia Pacific

SQF certification is relatively new to the New Zealand produce sector, but with the release of the SQF Food Safety Code: Primary Plant Production Code, New Zealand growers and packhouses feel that they have a code designed specifically to meet their needs and those of their domestic and export markets.

Orchards and packhouses that certify to the Primary Plant Production Code can now expect more in depth guidance for their industry, structured documentation set up, and a robust collection of on-site and online resources to help them achieve certification. According to Sarah Duncan, Quality and Compliance Manager for Rockit™ Apples, “[they] have been impressed with the high standard of supporting documentation and online webinars, and the team has found the [process] to be smooth.”

Rockit Global Limited Obtains SQF Certification

Rockit Global Limited (RGL), a high growth, innovative company based in Hawke’s Bay, New Zealand, which holds the exclusive rights to grow and distribute the PremA96 miniature apple variety, under the brand name Rockit™ apple.

Rockit™ apples are sold in more than 30 countries through a range of channels where healthy food is often not available – such as convenience stores, airports, gyms and vending machines – allowing them to compete in the snack category and offer consumers a healthier choice.

Rockit Global recently transferred to SQF certification for their brand new, state-of-the-art, 21,000m2 packhouse, Te Ipu, officially opened on June 1^st.  For Rockit Global certifying to a GFSI benchmarked program that has standards “specific to the apple packing industry” has allowed them to “meet [their] customer requirements [at their] new facility.”

“The process of changing to SQF was seamless – we were provided with the standard well in advance, while being well supported by the local certification body, SGS”.

Congratulations to the management and team at Rockit Global for their innovative products, their new facility, and their SQF certification.

Ready to get certified and confirm your place in the New Zealand produce industry? Learn more about the SQF Food Safety Code: Primary Plant Production Code today.

Read more about Rockit™ Apples