As more growers supply their products directly to retail, they are increasingly faced with new food safety requirements, with the United States being a prime example. Bas van der Elst of DL Plastics explains.
"From seed to packaging, new requirements keep emerging. As a processor—and as a manufacturer of liners for water silos—we also have to meet these standards in our production process. The relevant certification is called Food Grade. We supply that certificate with our products. Our materials more than meet the requirements, our production process is fully compliant, and our administrative workflow is entirely aligned with Food Grade standards."
"Nowadays, we supply nearly all liners for both water silos and hydroponic systems in this quality as standard. With that certificate in hand, the documentation is complete. It proves that the material is food-safe and, thanks to its unique number, fully traceable. In case of any incident, the material can be completely traced throughout the supply chain—even down to the raw material used in production."
Greentech
That this topic is gaining traction became clear at Greentech. There was significant interest in the Food Grade certification during the event. Bas and his colleagues had numerous conversations with visitors about the subject, highlighting just how relevant it has become in today's horticultural landscape.
For more information:
Bas van der Elst
DL Plastics
Tel: +31 (0) 518 - 409700
[email protected]
www.dlplastics.nl