3
INFO LETTER
Fruit, vegetables and potatoes
|
Issue: 01/2013
Quality Assurance.
From farm to shop.
ADVISORY BOARD FOR FRUIT, VEGETABLES AND POTATOES
ULRICH SCHOPOHL RE ELECTED
The Rutta family manages the Schönborn
fruit orchard in the region of north Germany
known as the “Switzerland of Holstein”, and
their orchard has a long tradition, initially
serving as a pomological institute way back
in 1883. Today, it is the most northerly ap-
ple farm in the German state of Schleswig-
Holstein. The Rutta family agreed to take
part in the QS-live information campaign as
a QS ambassador. In this interview, Stefanie
and Werner Rutta explain the measures they
take in the area of quality assurance.
Why did you decide to participate in the
QS scheme?
Werner Rutta:
We have been participating in
the QS scheme since 2004. For us, the QS cer-
ti cate is our admission ticket to the food retail
sector. The certi cate proves that our processes
comply with the requirements of the QS system
–
and this is checked by independent auditors.
There is a system to the documentation and
self-assessment requirements. They don’t pose
an obstacle as we ourselves set high standards
for quality assurance in the interests of our
own business and out of an awareness of our
responsibility.
What does quality assurance mean to you?
Stefanie Rutta:
Quality assurance plays a cen-
tral role for us – particularly during harvesting.
It is fundamental to the success of our busi-
ness. The apples are individually placed in large
transport crates to avoid pressure points. In the
processing hall, the crates of apples are then im-
mersed in a water bath. The apples float along
with the water flow to the sorting and packing
system. They are inspected by hand before
being automatically dried and sorted by size.
Following a nal check, the machines place the
apples in large crates for storage or transport.
Produce that is not delivered to customers right
away is stored in the temperature-controlled
warehouse, where the apples can remain for
several months without any adverse e ect on
quality.
What caused you to become involved in
QS-live?
Stefanie Rutta:
Here on our apple farm we pro-
duce safe, high-quality food, and this is some-
thing we are totally committed to. As QS-live
ambassadors, we are totally open about what
we do – not only on the Internet but also here
in our orchard, and we’re always happy to open
our doors. Many visitors are amazed that the
water in which the apples float from station to
station in the processing hall has the same qual-
ity as drinking water, which means the apples
can be eaten as they are.
What is special about your enterprise?
Werner Rutta:
The fruit orchard was mentioned
for the rst time in the 18th century. It used to
be home to a so-called pomological institute, in
other words an institute specialising in apples,
and was a venue for research and the training of
skilled personnel. Today, we are going our own
way: larger spacing between rows and more
space for the individual trees ensures more light
and a better yield.
SCHEME PARTICIPANTS AND QS LIVE AMBASSADORS
INTERVIEW WITH THE RUTTA FAMILY
The expertise of the advisory board is
indispensable for the work of QS. At its
latest meeting on 20 March 2013, the board
re-elected Ulrich Schopohl (see photo) as
Chairman for a further two years. Schopohl,
Head of Strategic Quality Assurance at the
REWE Group, has chaired the advisory board
since 2009.
One of the topics on the agenda of the March
meeting was the avoidance of microbiological
risks for food safety in the segment of fruit &
vegetables. The attendees at the meeting also
talked about the issue of sustainability, an issue
for which QS is designed to serve as a platform
for discussion. The goal is to shape the demands
of industry on scheme participants in all areas in
such a way the relevant criteria can continue to
be implemented in future in a practicable way.
Another issue of ongoing high priority on the
advisory board is that of microbiology in con-
nection with fresh fruit and vegetables. A project
is being launched in this area to obtain more
information on the contamination risk and to
reduce this risk.
New members of the advisory board
The long-serving members of the board have
been joined this year by several new faces:
Dr. Markus Nöthen (Pfalzmarkt für Obst und
Gemüse eG), Dr. Alexander Grabolle (Union
der Deutschen Karto elwirtscha e.V.), Raf de
Blaiser (LAVA), Albert Wielink (The Greenery B.V.)
and Reiner Ley (EDEKA Fruit Handling Centre
West).