In April, Almond Board of California (ABC) hosted a delegation from China’s General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection, and Quarantine (AQSIQ) as well as the ports of Shenzhen, Hebei and Shanghai, where they are responsible for food safety inspections for imports. The visit served to encourage greater confidence in almond practices from the orchard to export, as well as to explain the regulations applicable to agricultural production.
Food safety inspectors from China visit a California Almond orchard in April with members of the California Almond industry. They are, from left Scott Gaarde, farm manager; Beth Van Meter, ABC; LI Xiao, China Inspection and Quarantine (CIQ); XU Liyan, AQSIQ; Guangwei Huang, ABC; Wes Asai, pest control adviser; WAN Shungchong, CIQ; and YE Jing, CIQ.
The industry tour included visits to an orchard, several handlers and the Port of Oakland. The delegation also presented to handlers and answered questions about the import inspection process for almonds in China.
AQSIQ was impressed with the almond industry’s professionalism, food safety procedures and good manufacturing practices. China is currently reviewing possible regulations that would enable them to recognize importers who provide reliable quality and food safety controls. ABC will continue to work closely with AQSIQ to promote discussions regarding expedited inspection procedures for almonds.
