EFI has created a model, dedicated to promoting dialogue across the supply chain, that is fair to workers, profitable to farmers, retailers and food service providers
Mount Pocono, PA (PRWEB) May 12, 2016
UL, a leading global safety science organization, is pleased to announce that UL Registrar LLC is an official certification body for the Equitable Food Initiative. The Equitable Food Initiative (EFI), a nonprofit organization that brings together workers, growers and retailers in the effort to produce safer, more responsibly grown fruits and vegetables, today announced the engagement of UL to provide farm-based audits as one of its approved certification bodies.
“EFI is the only third-party certification program that addresses three of the top concerns in the produce industry - food safety, pest management, and labor conditions - through a workforce development training program. EFI has created a model, dedicated to promoting dialogue across the supply chain, that is fair to workers, profitable to farmers, retailers and food service providers, and provides an added level of assurance to consumers,” said Peter O’Driscoll, Executive Director of EFI. “Adding UL as an approved certification body will allow us to more effectively serve the needs of our growers who are seeking to validate their conformance to EFI’s rigorous standards.”
UL Registrar LLC will administer the EFI certification program given its expertise in independent management systems and helping support brands, manufacturers, and growers in the development and production of consistently safer products to quality levels demanded by stakeholders. UL Registrar LLC is dedicated to helping customers ensure the efficacy and sustainability of management systems in pursuit of a competitive business mission and vision.
Upon successful completion of the EFI Certification Program audit, the grower is issued a UL Certification Mark and a license agreement to use the EFI “Responsibly Grown. Farmworker Assured™” trustmark. The UL Certification Mark will be placed on the UL Certificate of Conformance, while the EFI trustmark may be used on product packaging to raise consumer awareness of the farm’s commitment to promoting the mission and values of the EFI.
For more information on the UL Equitable Food Initiative Certification Program, contact UL at ULRinfo@ul.com or visit UL.com.
About UL
UL is a premier global independent safety science company that has championed progress for more than 120 years. Its nearly 11,000 professionals are guided by the UL mission to promote safe working and living environments for all people. UL uses research and standards to continually advance and meet ever-evolving safety needs. We partner with businesses, manufacturers, trade associations and international regulatory authorities to bring solutions to a more complex global supply chain. For more information about our certification, verification, validation, testing, inspection, advisory and education services, visit http://www.UL.com.
About UL Registrar LLC
UL Registrar LLC is one of six operational units within Underwriters Laboratories Inc. UL Registrar’s mission is to be the global leader in advancing sustainable audit and certification services within supply chains, worldwide. UL Registrar provides independent, third-party manufacturing/process assessments against a defined standard that aims to minimize supply chain risk, help protect brand value, and promote consumer and product safety. For more information on UL Registrar’s services, visit http://industries.ul.com/management-systems.
About The Equitable Food Initiative
The Equitable Food Initiative (EFI) brings together workers, growers and retailers to provide “Responsibly Grown. Farmworker Assured.™” fruits and vegetables. As produce farms comply with the EFI Standards — for improved working conditions, pest management, and food safety — the entire food system sees benefits, from farmworkers to businesses to agricultural communities and consumers.
EFI is a 501c3 nonprofit organization, and receives funding support from The Atlantic Philanthropies, Broad Reach Fund, John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation, Rosenberg Foundation, Cedar Tree Foundation, Oxfam America and The Walt Disney Company.
Members of EFI’s multi-stakeholder board, which were instrumental in the development of the EFI Standards, include:
● Andrew and Williamson Fresh Produce International
● Bon Appétit Management Company
● Center for Science in the Public Interest
● Consumer Federation of America
● Costco Wholesale Corporation
● Farmworker Justice
● Farm Labor Organizing Committee
● Keystone Fruit Marketing, Inc.
● NatureSweet Tomatoes
● Oxfam America
● Pesticide Action Network North America
● Pineros y Campesinos Unidos del Noroeste
● United Farm Workers
Website: http://www.equitablefood.org
Twitter: @EquitableFood
Facebook: facebook.com/EquitableFoodInitiative
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/equitable-food-initiative