Food safety
PrimusGFS certified, and audited to stay that way
Southern Corporate Packers holds PrimusGFS certification, a food safety standard recognized by the Global Food Safety Initiative, and complies with U.S. Food and Drug Administration guidelines and regulations across every stage of the operation.
Our pledge
Trust in every bite
Food safety is not a marketing line in the wholesale produce business. It is the thing a buyer's own certification depends on. Southern Corporate Packers holds PrimusGFS certification, a global benchmark for food safety management, which means operations have passed an independent third-party audit and are re-audited to keep it.
As active members of the National Watermelon Association, SCP participates in promoting best practices and staying current with where the industry is going on food safety and handling.
Operations are fully compliant with FDA guidelines and regulations. Facilities and processes undergo regular inspections so issues are identified and addressed quickly rather than discovered at a receiving dock.
Credentials
Certifications and memberships
| Credential | Type | What it covers |
|---|---|---|
| PrimusGFS | Food safety certification | A GFSI-recognized food safety standard covering farm operations, harvest crews, and packing facilities. |
| National Watermelon Association | Industry membership | Active member. The NWA sets promotion, research, and best-practice standards for the U.S. watermelon industry. |
| FDA compliant | Regulatory | Operations follow U.S. Food and Drug Administration guidelines and regulations, including Food Safety Modernization Act produce-safety requirements. |
In practice
How the program actually runs
Certified to a GFSI-recognized standard
PrimusGFS covers the farm, the harvest crew and the packing facility, not just the building at the end of the chain.
Regular audits and internal checks
Third-party inspections plus internal audits, run on an ongoing basis rather than in the week before a customer visit.
Cold chain from the field
Product is cooled immediately after harvest and kept cool through packing and transit to protect shelf life and safety.
Industry participation
Active National Watermelon Association membership keeps the program current with industry practice.
Questions
Food safety questions
Is Southern Corporate Packers food safety certified?
Yes. SCP holds PrimusGFS certification, a food safety standard recognized by the Global Food Safety Initiative, and operations comply with U.S. Food and Drug Administration guidelines and regulations.
What is PrimusGFS certification?
PrimusGFS is a GFSI-recognized food safety audit scheme covering farm operations, harvest crews, and packing facilities. Certification requires passing an independent third-party audit and maintaining it through regular re-audits.
Does SCP belong to any industry associations?
Yes. Southern Corporate Packers is an active member of the National Watermelon Association.
How often are your facilities inspected?
SCP's facilities and processes undergo regular third-party inspections and internal audits to confirm they continue to meet or exceed industry standards.
Need our certification documents?
Buyers setting up a new account can request current PrimusGFS certificates and food safety documentation from the food safety desk.