Red Tractor (RT), the UK’s largest food and farm chain assurance scheme, has brought together a refreshed Fresh Produce Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) and is focusing on high-risk produce.
A new Working Group (WG) of the TAC has also been established and met for the first time in June. Its priority is developing additional elements to RT’s main fresh produce standard, addressing high-risk produce, e.g. salad leaf, based on requirements specified in CFA’s Microbiological Guidance for Produce Suppliers to Chilled Food Manufacturers (4th edition, MGG4). The aim is for usable guidance to be ready for the 2026 season under the Red Tractor banner.
CFA DG Karin Goodburn has been appointed to the TAC and the WG. She explains the significance of the news: “CFA’s MGG4 is already providing vital technical guidance for many producers and growers, and key requirements should become taken up by Red Tractor for high risk crops. Anyone buying produce bearing the Red Tractor logo can be assured that it adheres to high food safety standards. Major UK retailers are already making the application of MGG4 requirements a condition of their suppliers.”
4 September 2025