The Food Safety and Technology Council of the United Fresh Produce Association has updated its benchmarking tool for product auditing. The group's Audits Benchmarking Matrix provides the fresh produce industry with an on-line, searchable comparison of the ways by which auditing organizations ensure the quality of their audits and auditors. Since release of the first edition of the matrix in 2009, more than a thousand users have accessed the tool, according to the association. It allows for searching and comparison of features that are considered critical to the quality, reliability and integrity of various audit programs. In the process, users can assess the quality features of an audit or standards-setting organization, and make more informed decisions about which programs best align with supplier-quality initiatives. The update adds auditor organizations to the matrix. The Audits Benchmarking Matrix is free of charge. The United Fresh Produce Association serves the interests of growers, shippers, fresh-cut processors, wholesalers, distributors, retailers, foodservice operations, industry supplies and allied associations.

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