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Joseph Gallo Farms Program First to Receive IDFA HACCP Certification 
The cheese plant of Joseph Gallo Farms, Atwater, Calif., recently became the first dairy plant to have its HACCP program certified under the IDFA HACCP Certification Program. Gallo's success started with the training of two of its quality assurance managers at an IDFA HACCP workshop, continued with a review of the plant's written HACCP programs, and was cemented by passing a rigorous on-site audit.
"The key to Gallo's success was the extensive effort made by their staff and the commitment from management to safe, high-quality cheese products. Every step of the way, Gallo was ready to meet the rigorous criteria in the IDFA HACCP Certification Program," said IDFA Senior Director of Regulatory Affairs Allen Sayler, who leads IDFA's HACCP efforts. He also noted that "this HACCP Certification will provide extra assurance to Gallo's customers that the cheese products they are buying are the result of a comprehensive food safety program that exceeds industry standards and regulatory requirements." The three-level IDFA HACCP Certification Program is the only initiative of its kind that is targeted specifically for the dairy industry. The program incorporates elements of HACCP employee training, assistance in the development of HACCP written documents, use of computer software to record and document the plant's HACCP program, an on-site audit of the implemented HACCP program, and ongoing consultation. Joseph Gallo Farms completed the Program Certification level, which covers a plant's program. About 30 industry professionals have been individually certified through the IDFA HACCP program. IDFA developed the three levels of its program based on input from members, as well as from experience gained by its participation in the development of a Grade A HACCP program under the National Conference on Interstate Milk Shipments (NCIMS). In addition, IDFA aggressively advocates the industry's views to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regarding the training, interpretation and implementation of the agency's juice HACCP regulations. For more information on the IDFA HACCP Certification Program, visit www.IDFAhaccp.org, or contact Allen Sayler at asayler@idfa.org, 202/220-3544.
Posted August 2, 2004
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