Quality Assurance

The quality assurance (QA) function has far reaching responsibilities in keeping with the Del Monte Fresh Produce Company emphasis on consistently providing superior quality products.  The QA function specifies the temperature and relative humidity conditions to be used for shipping our agricultural products. QA, for fresh and fresh cut operations, operates as a communication link among our production, shipping and our customers.  QA inspections are conducted at source and destination markets in order to monitor product quality for sales and for feedback to production/shipping.  A key responsibility of the corporate QA department is to insure that consistent standards of evaluation are applied at all sources and markets.  This is accomplished through the development of QA manuals, training, and periodic exchange visits for the QA managers.

Also included in the quality assurance group is a technical service team that provides training to supermarket clients (for example: ripening procedures, storage and handling practices) and trouble shoots problems through supply chain audits for the purpose of providing feedback to clients as well as to Del Monte Fresh Produce Company.  A third team, that is also part of QA, oversees certification systems (for example:  ISO 14001, ISO 9002, SA 8000, EurepGAP, etc.).

Quality assurance managers are trained in food safety principles and they work closely with corporate food safety to ensure the wholesomeness of our products.   Just as the Company's produce offerings have careful attention paid to each link in the production and distribution chain, our lines of fresh-cut and repack products have addressed all aspects of quality assurance and food protection.  These programs are organized around a Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP) plan and is audited both internally and by third party inspections.