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Food Safety Policy
Purpose
The Oppenheimer Group is committed to optimizing both our supplying and consumer customers’ satisfaction. To this end, the quality and safety of the products we supply are of paramount importance. This policy is intended to set out the parameters for our supplying customers, so that consumer confidence in all Oppenheimer products is maintained at the highest possible level.
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Policy
All suppliers of products and services to the Oppenheimer Group must have a Hazard Analysis Critical Control Points (HACCP) based Food Safety Program in place, which can be audited by an independent third party. The program must include objectives and goals which can be measured against a documented set of standards and principles.
The four key areas of a Food Safety Program are summarized below:
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GAPs - Good Agricultural Practices:
GAPs cover the Critical Control Points (CCPs) during the growing and harvesting phase of production. Some of the areas where CCPs should be established include:
- personal hygiene in the field
- facility and grounds maintenance
- pest control procedures
- maintenance of a safe water supply, etc.
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GMPs - Good Manufacturing Practices:
GMPs look at the CCPs during any manufacturing, packing, or processing phase of production - in both the country of export and in country of importation. Some of the areas where CCPs should be established include:
- facility hygiene standards including pest and animal control processes
- personnel hygiene standards including dress and contamination prevention
- cleaning, sanitizing, and maintenance procedures for food contact surfaces
- maintenance of a safe water supply, etc.
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Residue Tolerances:
This involves the establishment of CCPs where product being presented for export meets the Maximum Residue Level (MRL) of the country of import. Processes must be put in place prohibit the mis-shipment of product to a country where it exceeds the MRL.
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GMO Statement:
Oppenheimer will only handle produce that has been approved for sale or marketing by the appropriate federal authorities.
Additionally, we believe that consumers have the right to know relevant information about the produce they buy, including information about whether or not an item has been genetically modified. We would support industry initiatives to accomplish this.
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Code Date Issues:
Federal requirements are being established that require the receiver or importer of products to be able to trace back any product received to the place of production. CCPs must be established to ensure that such a system is in place.
Plans are under way to have an independent contractor assist in the establishment of a Food Safety Program, which will enable the Oppenheimer Group to be a preferred supplier of products to the consumers across North America.
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Position on Country of Origin Labeling:
We have actively lobbied the U.S. Congress for country of origin labeling (COOL) to remain voluntary - not mandatory - given the fiscal burden it will place on our industry.
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Food Security Policy:
In early December 2001, the Food and Drug Administration issued new food safety and security guidelines to address the threat of possible terrorist attacks through our food supply. The FDA guidelines are based on an operational risk management systems approach, identifying risks and developing ways to minimize or eliminate them.
Our new food security policy follows a similar strategy: examining areas of vulnerability along the supply chain and addressing them with preventative measures. While the FDAs guidelines encompass all types of food and water supplies, Oppenheimer's protocols address the nuances of produce distribution.
Our full food security policy document is available here:
 Suggested Food Security Protocols
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