“Food safety has become a standard expectation of any produce industry to maintain and build consumer confidence. With the advent of produce outbreaks due to food safety issues, there has never been a more important time for our industry to build on our growing and handling practices to provide a safe, healthy watermelon supply. Although these guidelines are voluntary at this point in time, it is expected that they will become part of federal food safety legislation in the very near future. We look forward to supporting your efforts to implement these standards into your operation, to help you to protect our industry and your operation, to continue to provide a safe and healthy crop, and to continue to build consumer confidence. Together, we can make a difference.”

Bob Morrissey, Executive Director
National Watermelon Association, Inc.