Ensuring Food Safety Through Sustainability: Certifications that Make a Difference
In recent years, the demand for food safety certifications has grown significantly, with a gradual shift towards incorporating sustainability. Embracing sustainable practices has become crucial for ensuring the safety of the products we consume. As a result, food safety certifications have become a major focus of the market, proving particularly stringent in the agricultural sector. The demands come especially from supermarkets, which have direct contact with the end consumer.
“At the moment, there is great demand for LEAF Marque, SPRING (GLOBALG.A.P. Module), ZERYA Waste-free Production and Wine Sustainability certifications. Each of these certifications requires the implementation of sustainable agricultural practices as a way of guaranteeing safe, high-quality food,” says Luísa Bastos, Kiwa's technical director.
Luísa Bastos emphasizes: “Food safety certifications are essential, not only to meet market demands, but also to promote more sustainable agriculture”, ensuring that producers adopt practices that respect the environment and guarantee the safety and quality of the food that reaches the end consumer.
As already mentioned, among the most sought-after certifications today are LEAF Marque, the GLOBALG.A.P. SPRING Module, ZERYA Waste-Free Production and Wine Sustainability.
LEAF Marque
LEAF Marque certification promotes sustainable agricultural practices, covering soil management, water efficiency and the protection of biodiversity, while ensuring that products comply with high standards of food safety and environmental quality.
In line with the expectations of consumers who value responsible agricultural practices, certification also represents a competitive edge for producers committed to sustainability, enabling them to meet the demands of the strictest markets.
Kiwa certifies agricultural products according to the LEAF Marque, a certification that must be combined with audits of other Good Agricultural Practice standards, such as GLOBALG.A.P. Integrated Farm Assurance (IFA). This certificate and the LEAF logo are awarded after verification of compliance with the requirements, covering the entire production unit.
SPRING – GLOBALG.A.P.
SPRING - GLOBALG.A.P. (Sustainable Program for Irrigation and Groundwater Use) is an additional module of the GLOBALG.A.P. IFA certification, developed to promote sustainable water management practices on farms.
The main aim of this certification is to assess and improve the use of water on farms, reducing the environmental impact and ensuring the preservation of water resources. The program integrates techniques such as precision irrigation systems, real-time monitoring and the application of technologies to minimize waste and optimize the efficient use of water.
“Given the growing pressure on water resources, accentuated by climate change, SPRING ensures that farmers adopt practices that favor water conservation, promoting the sustainability of their farms. In the same way, they contribute to conserving biodiversity and maintaining water quality, ensuring that these resources remain available for future generations,” stresses Luísa Bastos.
Kiwa offers GLOBALG.A.P. certification services and additional modules, such as SPRING, enabling producers and farmers to demonstrate their commitment to sustainable water management and the environment, increase consumer confidence in certified products, position themselves advantageously and contribute to food safety.
ZERYA® Waste-free production
Zerya® certification ensures that fruit and vegetables are produced free from residues of plant protection products, commonly known as pesticides, in direct response to the demand for healthier and more sustainable food. This certification establishes a strict limit for the use of pesticides, which guarantees that products certified as ZERYA® Waste-Free Production are practically residue-free.
“ZERYA® Waste-Free Production ultimately offers a safer end product and, at the same time, favors agricultural practices that respect and preserve the environment, which is also essential for gaining the trust of consumers who are increasingly more informed about food safety,” says Luísa Bastos.
Increasing consumer concern about the origin, production and safety of food has led Kiwa to join ZERYA® Waste-Free Production. By adopting the ZERYA® General Regulation, Kiwa offers an additional seal of guarantee for its products, reinforcing consumer confidence.
Wine sustainability
The Alentejo Wine Sustainability Program (PSVA), developed by the Alentejo Regional Winegrowing Commission, and the National Referential for Certification of Sustainability in the Wine Sector (SSV), developed by the IVV, with ViniPortugal as the Managing Entity, promote the improvement of the environmental, social and economic performance of regional/national winegrowing activities, making it possible to promote recognition of the sustainability performance of regional/national wines in the national and international markets.
Both certifications seek to promote the sustainability of organizations in the wine sector in a simple, inclusive and credible way, based on principles and criteria that allow for a more efficient use of resources, encouraging reduction and reuse, promoting sustainable performance.
The certification of both the PSVA, which operates and is implemented in the Alentejo region, and the SSV, which operates and is implemented at national level, allows for the award of a sustainability seal after verification of compliance with the respective technical standards.
Sustainable agricultural practices: the future path
In a context of rapid climate change and growing demand for food, sustainable agriculture is emerging as a promising way to guarantee food security in a responsible manner. Sustainable practices, such as crop rotation and integrated pest management, as well as soil conservation and water management, not only boost productivity, but also protect and revitalize the natural resources that are essential for the competitiveness of farms in the medium and long term.
Luísa Bastos concludes that “by investing in certifications and sustainable practices, we are meeting the demands of the market and ensuring that agriculture is sustainable, productive and responsible. Sustainable farming practices are the key to a lasting and ethical agricultural production model, capable of providing safe, quality food.”
Discover how sustainable agricultural practices and certifications like LEAF Marque, SPRING, ZERYA® Waste-Free Production, and Wine Sustainability are shaping a safer, greener future for our food. Learn more about how Kiwa supports producers in meeting these crucial standards and delivering high-quality, safe products.
Ready to embrace sustainability and food safety? Contact Kiwa today through food@kiwa.com or by filling the form.