cantaloupe

Sun America Imports will begin deploying the HarvestMark traceability solution on its cantaloupe melons as of this month in an effort to provide greater transparency to retailers and shoppers as well as enhance the group’s food safety communication programmes.

The move comes in the wake of the recent listeria outbreak in Colorado-grown cantaloupes which killed a number of consumers in the US.

“We recognize that retail buyers and shoppers want greater peace of mind when purchasing melon,” said Drew Kislin, managing director of Sun America Imports.

“We chose HarvestMark because the platform allows us to provide transparency all the way to the shopper, offers an important channel for food safety communication, and will enable us to build our brand with confidence.”

Based in Pompano Beach, Florida, Sun America Imports is a leading US importer of fresh produce from North American and Latin America, with cantaloupe operations in Guatemala and Honduras.

“We’re delighted that Sun America Imports has selected HarvestMark for its traceability needs and are pleased to help them implement HarvestMark for Items across their cantaloupe operations,” said J. Scott Carr, CEO of YottaMark in a press release.

“We look forward to helping Sun America create new connections with shoppers, gain valuable insights through customer feedback, and strengthen their food safety communications.”

HarvestMark traceability will begin appearing on Sun America cantaloupes later this month.

Shoppers and retailers will be able to learn where and how their specific cantaloupe was grown and give feedback to Sun America using the free HarvestMark app or at HarvestMark.com.

In the event of a recall, shoppers can instantly check the food safety status of their melon by scanning the HarvestMark QR code or entering its unique 16-digit code at HarvestMark.com.