Certified baby leaf salads: what does this actually mean?

Producing certified baby leaf salads means implementing production processes that comply with the standards laid down by the main international regulations. OP Isola Verde undergoes voluntary audits by third parties to certify our compliance with additional standards and regulations specific to certain markets or sectors.

In practice, this results in control activities carried out along the entire supply chain, aimed at guaranteeing a precise and constantly monitored work process, in compliance with the parameters foreseen by the individual certifications required and obtained.

Certain aspects, such as compliance with good hygiene and cultivation practices, or the healthiness of our environments, are common to most certifications, but each standard also has specific requirements that we strive to comply with on a daily basis. Here’s what we do in practice and which certifications we have achieved thanks to this additional work:

Part of our production is carried out in compliance with the strict standards imposed by the organic farming method. Organic farming and production follows a separate processing channel, from the selection of seeds through to product packaging.

We constantly clean the machines and instruments, we all wear personal protective equipment, we select salads in healthy environments, and we use food grade packaging. This is also why we have obtained IFS certification and BRC certification.

Each lot produced is traced and each step of the production process is monitored to ensure it complies with a precise and constant processing procedure. The level of attention we give to lot traceability has enabled us to obtain the Global GAP Chain of Custody certification.

We pay great attention to the demands of LSD and Fast Food chains, and we are committed to meeting the requirements of this type of supply chain at an international level. To date we have obtained:

• Global GAP Plus certification, specifically for the Mc Donald’s restaurant chain
• M&S certification required by the Marks & Spencer distribution chain
• TESCO NURTURE certification required by the well-known TESCO distribution chain
• QS Quality scheme for food certification specifically for the German LSD market

We believe in sustainable agriculture, respecting the environment and the workers. Our ongoing commitment in this respect has allowed us to obtain both SQNPI certification and Global GAP certification, again on a voluntary basis. Attention to good social practices regarding the health and safety of workers has enabled us to obtain GRASP certification.