Varekamp Coldstores achieves BRC and IFS at Food Level

Varekamp Coldstores has achieved the BRC and IFS certificate on Food Level. This is a direct consequence of the purchase of a new line of organic citrus that the logistics service bought last summer. With this line products such as oranges, mandarins, minneola's, lemons and grapefruit are mechanically sorted and washed. What's special about this is that this line is only used on organic certified products.

"We've been receiving organic citrus for certain customers for years. This citrus was packaged by hand for a year, like we're used to in our business, but we were sure we weren't getting the optimal result this way. Citrus is a delicate product", says commercial director Willem Nowee. "That's why we decided to invest in a separate space with a unique line where we could receive, clean and sort organic citrus."

In a few steps the citrus with affected quality is sorted, washed with high powered sprinklers combined with brushes, dried and repackaged in the desired packaging. The line offers the possibility to catch the product in bins, after which it can be placed in the desired small packaging. The sorting line is divided into two separate spaces, so contamination is prevented as much as possible.

"The amount we sort, depends on course of the group", says Nowee. "But with this investment we offer important benefits for our organic customers. This way we can assure the product quality better, we save labour, there is a shorter processing time, we improve the shelf life and ensure a limit on the drop out further along the chain. We can already see a much better end result than when we sorted them by hand, with a better presentation and the customers tell us they receive fewer complaints or claims."

"All in all we are now realising an optimal chain result, close to the sales market. And this is good for the supplier, exporter, importer and (retail) sales organisation. With this unique service we are taking the next step as an integral logistics service for customers at home and abroad", concludes Willem. "During Fruit Logistica, Hall 3.2, stall B-07, we would love to illustrate the possibilities."

For more information:
Varekamp Coldstores B.V.
Willem Nowee, commercieel directeur
Phone + 31 (0) 174 – 27 23 09
Cell + 31 (0) 6 22 416 727
Fax + 31 (0) 174 – 418 577
[email protected]