Your labeling concern has been put to rest with todays news release. Now it may work in our favor since others may not meet the FDA requirements!!
GO FRSH - DONE DEAL!!!!!
Here is a copy of the release from Yahoo
FDA Acknowledges Fresh Juice Company is First to
Show In-Plant Safety Data
No Consumer Warning Labeling Required for the Fresh Juice Company and Hansen's Juice
WINTER HAVEN, Fla., Oct. 28 /PRNewswire/ -- The Fresh Juice Company (Nasdaq: FRSH - news) announced today that
the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has acknowledged that The Fresh Juice Company is the first juice manufacturer
to share data confirming that in-plant quality assurance systems in both its Florida and California production facilities exceed the
Agency's new requirement for a 5-log microbial reduction in citrus juice. Consequently, no Fresh Juice Company nor Hansen's
products will be required to bear a consumer warning label, disclaimer or cautionary statement of any kind.
''The FDA's action is in keeping with our unparalleled tradition of excellence. The Fresh Juice Company and Hansen's Juice is
pleased to be the first to prove our in-plant quality assurance programs produce the best tasting and safest juice possible. The
Fresh Juice Company and Hansen's Juice is committed to our vision of creating the best tasting, highest quality nutritional
beverages in the world. We have never wavered in our belief that carefully processed fresh citrus juice was safe. We have
committed significant resources and engaged the industries' top scientists to develop proprietary manufacturing and testing
processes featuring a surrogate organism. In the interest of consumer food safety and the development of manufacturing best
practices we are pleased to share the process with the industry,'' said Steve Bogen, Chief Executive Officer of the Fresh Juice
Company.
In an October 26, 1998 letter to Bogen, John Kvenberg, FDA's Director, Division of Hazard Analysis/Critical Control Point
''HACCP'' Programs wrote:
''Your method of a qualified surrogate organism for use during in-plant validations was the first validation the Agency has
reviewed utilizing such a method in the production of citrus juice. As such, your sharing of this innovative methodology
represents a significant advance and displays a leadership role in addressing the public health concerns related to the fresh juice
industry.''
''The Fresh Juice Company and Hansen's Juice lead the industry in safety. We have made an unprecedented investment in the
quality and safety of our brands,'' said Bogen.
The Fresh Juice Company and Hansen's Juice have achieved the industry's first independently verified 5-log pathogen reduction
for all citrus products. This process reduces organisms that lead to food borne illness in citrus juice by 100,000-fold (''5-log
reduction'').
''Consumers know that they can trust the safety of our products and rely on The Fresh Juice Company and Hansen's Juice to
deliver the best tasting, highest quality product in the world. We have an expert quality assurance team that consists of
microbiologists, physicians, independent laboratories, and consultants in food safety and good manufacturing practices. I have
more than 28 years of experience in developing quality assurance programs, including HACCP plans and microbiological
testing protocols. When your name is The Fresh Juice Company, you have to be the best,'' said Steve Hunter, Fresh Juice's
Director of Quality Assurance and Technical Affairs.
The Fresh Juice Company and Hansen's Juice manufactures, markets and distributes fresh squeezed and frozen fresh squeezed
citrus juice, value-added Creative (TM) drinks, fresh juice smoothies (blends of juice and purees) and other non-carbonated
beverages to both retail and food service customers. The company has the country's only bi-coastal manufacturing and
distribution enabling year round production of fresh citrus. Marketed under the labels ''Hansen's,'' ''Fresh Pik't,'' ''Ultimate''
and ''Just Pik't,'' Fresh Juice's products are premium, fresh squeezed or minimally processed juice products. |
