We go the extra mile to ensure we constantly provide produce that is safe to consume. We lead the industry in food safety practices.
Tanimura & Antle follows an established food safety plan that satisfies the requirements set forth by state and federal governing bodies. Our plan defines responsibilities, standard operating procedures, guidance for record keeping, recalls, customer complaints, resolution plans and includes a food defense plan.
We follow all Good Agricultural Practices (GAPs) — guidelines designed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the Food & Drug Administration (FDA) — to produce safe products and eliminate potential for product contamination.
We also follow all Commodity Specific Food Safety Guidelines for the Production and Harvest of Lettuce and Leafy Greens, as adopted by the California Leafy Greens Marketing Agreement. These guidelines build upon the FDA / USDA GAP Guidelines with additional requirements for the production and harvesting of produce. Our practices include:
We sanitize harvest equipment daily, either at the harvest shop or in the field using a mobile sanitation unit.
We regularly test irrigation water to ensure it complies with established standards.
We assess the location of our farms prior to each growing season to ensure they are not in close proximity of feedlots, sewer treatment plants or garbage disposal sites.
We train our employees throughout the year on proper hygiene, including using clean gloves and washing and sanitizing hands after taking breaks.
We rotate crops to break up pest and disease breeding patterns. Wherever possible, we avoid or reduce the application of chemical agents by using beneficial plants to attract helpful bugs that keep pests at a minimum. We also carefully monitor weather patterns and plan watering schedules to protect against pests.
Our traceability program includes company-specific GTIN numbers and allows all produce to be traced back to the field it came from, the crew that harvested it, and the cooling equipment and shipping trucks that were used.
Our processes are regularly audited by government agencies and other independent third-party entities such as:
Our nationally recognized food safety team is actively involved in numerous government and trade organizations including the United Fresh Produce Association, the Produce Marketing Association, the Leafy Greens Marketing Agreement, the Western Growers Association, the FDA, and the Center for Produce Safety, so we can be sure to stay up-to-date on best practices.
See our How We Grow and Sustainability
pages for more info on how we provide top-quality produce.