Full quality inspections
UK: Techno Fresh provide 'exempted banana trader status'
Based in the UK with permanent staff at Sheerness, Dover and Portsmouth, the company has recently expanded into Rotterdam.
Techno Fresh provide clients with a full range of services usually conducted by a technical manager. The technical team will carry out site and farm inspections and audits, assessing pesticide information and pesticide analysis. They also have an experienced surveying team who go anywhere within the UK and parts of Europe at short notice to carry out independent surveys.
The main function within TFC is to conduct quality inspections. Inspectors will go to farms, pack houses, ripening centres and ports. Usually all reports will be received within 24hrs of the inspection being conducted or sooner. Methods can be adapted to suit client needs. Being based in some of the main reefer ports in the UK and in Rotterdam, means cargo can be monitored on discharge from vessels, whether it is under deck pallet cargo or containers. A full report of any damages or issues with the product can be sent, meaning investigations into any problems can begin as soon as they occur and protests can be issued on behalf of the client, and an investigation into the possible causes of whom is to blame, clients are informed straight away so that they are aware and can make preparations.
Techno Fresh is accredited to ISO9001, making sure that they have the correct equipment that is calibrated and processes to do the jobs. By using ISO9001 TFC have the systems that allow them to be fully up to date.
As of the 1st August this year the operational changes to the EU banana regulations come into force, known as PEACH or "Procedure for Electronic Application for Certificates from the Horticultural Marketing Inspectorate." This will mean if companies do not have "Exempted Banana Trader Status" consignments of bananas may be selected for inspection by the DEFRA inspectors causing possible delay.
However if companies apply for "Exempted Banana Trader Status" products will not be put on hold and can be collected and delivered when required. To achieve "Exempted Banana Trader Status" companies will have to show records of quality inspections within the port of arrival and that inspectors are trained and able to conduct inspections to EEC requirements.
Techno Fresh can offer an independent arrival report on consignments. As an ISO9001 accredited company they comply with all the requirements to allow companies to achieve "Exempted Banana Trader Status" such as record keeping, calibration of equipment and training of inspectors.
Techno Fresh are members of LEAF and FPC and attend the Pesticide Monitoring meetings.
Techno Fresh Consultancy is a growing company with a well known reputation, with a large client base which they are looking to expand.