TIPA, United Fresh plan papaya safety webinar

PRESS RELEASE: Mission, Texas — Within days of the release of the Food Safety Best Practices Guide for the Growing and Handling of Mexican Papaya document in April 2020, Mexican papaya growers, packers and importers were requesting and downloading the document
from the Texas International Produce Association’s BB #:162361 and the United Fresh Produce Association’s BB #:145458 websites. Sparked by a Salmonella outbreak in June of 2019, it was evident that measures were needed to identify and address risks, and to bring the entire industry up to a higher base-line for food safety.

In order to help any company handling papayas answer questions concerning this new best practices guide and how to begin implementation, TIPA and UFPA will host a webinar scheduled for June 4^th. Speakers include Dante Galeazzi, President & CEO of TIPA, and Emily Griep, Food Safety Manager of UFPA.  This webinar will also discuss how this broad international collaboration plans to make the guide an on-going effort, with an education and research component, and how partners can help drive early adoption on a large scale.

“We’ve received incredible feedback from retail and foodservice companies, particularly during the development of the best practices document,” said Dante Galeazzi. “During this webinar, we expect more questions from all the various buyer entities in North America. As an industry, we want those further up the supply chain to not only embrace but to promote this effort and encourage their suppliers of Mexican papayas to participate in this guidance. After all, it’s a FREE document!”

Registration is free and will be hosted using Zoom, on June 4^th, 2020: https://unitedfresh.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_PQygamUZRSSyUsTQ57U9mQ

To download the “Food Safety Best Practices Guide for the Growing & Handling of Mexican Papaya, First Edition,” click the following links for English or Spanish.

About the Texas International Produce Association

Founded in 1942, the Texas International Produce Association (TIPA) promotes, advocates, educates and represents the nearly $8 billion in fresh produce that is either grown in the state or calls Texas the first point of US-arrival for North American distribution.

About the United Fresh Produce Association

The fresh produce industry thrives on vital connections. From family businesses to global corporations, United Fresh brings together members across every segment of the supply chain to build relationships that are as solid with a handshake as with a contract. We empower industry leaders to join forces to shape sound government policy. We deliver the resources and expertise companies need to succeed in managing complex business and technical issues. We provide the training and development individuals need to advance their careers in produce. Through these endeavors, we unite our industry with a common purpose – to build long-term success for our members, and grow produce consumption.