US tomatoes

The United Fresh Produce Association has released the 2011 version of The Food Safety Programs and Auditing Protocol for the Fresh Tomato Supply Chain.

The Tomato Metrics, as the document is more widely known, aims to harmonize the various food-safety standards into a single set of guidelines.

Ed Beckman of California Tomato Farmers advised: 'The 2011 version takes into consideration the need for more extensive pre-plant and pre-harvest assessments.'

A wide range of fresh tomato stakeholders have been involved in the development of Tomato Metrics since it began in July 2008.